Srom  t^e  feifirat^  of 

(J)rofe66or  ^amuef  (gtiffet 

in  (gtemot)?  of 

3ubge  ^amuef  (Stiffer  QKrecfeintibse 

^resenteb  6l5 

^antuef  Ottffer  QBrecfeinribge  feong 

to  t^e  feifirari?  of 

Qptinceton  C^eofogicaf  ^etninarg 

~B V  T500 ^  .^TTe 2 9 

Seeker,  William,  d.  1681? 
The  nonsuch  professor  in  hi 
meridian  splendor 


THE 

NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

IN  HIS 

MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR. 


'y^  ^t^^ 


Q//mi/:MMr: 


THE 

NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR; 

OR,  THE  SINGULAR 

ACTIONS   OF  SANCTIFIED  CHRISTIANS. 

LAID  OPEN 

h\  ^thtn  ^ermonig, 

AT  ALL-HALLOW'S  CHURCH,  LQKDON-WALL. 


3H,  LQKl 


BY  WILLIAM  SECKER 


TO  WHICH  IS  ADDBD 

THE  WEDDING-RING,    A   SERMON, 

BY  THE  SAME  AUTHOR. 


REVISED  BY  THE  REVEREND  MATTHEW  WILKS  : 

AND  RECOMMENDED  BT  THE 
REV.  J.  COCKIN,  AND  THE  REV.  E.  PARSONS. 


Hear,  for  I  will  speak  of  excellent  Things. Prov.  viii.  6. 

Wherefore,  by  their  Fruits  ye  shall  know  them. Matt.  vii.  20. 


LONDON : 

PRINTED   FOR   RICHARD   BAYNES, 

28,   PATERNOSTER. ROW. 

1829. 


THE 

EPISTLE  DEDICATORY, 

To  Sir  Edward  Barkham,  Knight  and  Baronet ^  and 
his  religious  Lady,  Frances  Barkham, 

OF  TOTTENHAM. 


Honoured  Worthies, 

You  have  tied  me  in  so  many  silken  cords  of  kind- 
ness, that  I  must  live  and  die  in  these  pleasant 
bonds.  The  only  return  I  can  make  you  is  by  pen 
and  ink,  to  acknowledge  myself  your  debtor  3  per- 
suaded that  your  noble  minds  are  like  that  of  Ar- 
taxerxes,  as  condescending  to  receive  small  things 
from  others,  as  to  grant  great  things  himself. 

I  am  sensible  what  prejudices  are  conceived 
against  recommendatoiy  epistles.  I  presume  I 
shall  not  kindle  strange  fire  upon  your  altar,  by 
informing  you,  that  I  believe  you  take  more  plea- 
sure in  godliness  than  in  greatness.  You  have 
learned,  that  piety  is  the  best  parentage  j  and  that 
to  be  new  horn  is  better  than  to  be  high  horn. 


VI 

It  is  reported,  that  '4n  some  great  personages' 
houses,  there  are  more  oaths  heard  in  one  day,  than 
prayers  in  one  year :"  but  in  your  house,  there  are 
more  prayers  heard  in  one  day,  than  oaths  in  one 
year.  God  has  ornamented  your  terrestrial  crowns 
with  many  choice  jewels.  He  has  given  you  of 
the  fatness  of  the  earth,  as  well  as  of  the  dew  of 
heaven  :  Esau's  venison,  as  well  as  Jacob's  bless- 
ing :  the  nether  springs  of  common  bounty,  as 
well  as  the  upper  springs  of  special  mercy.  There 
are  four  showers  which  have  watered  your  garden : 
— a  fruitful  posterity,  an  inward  tranquillity,  a 
faithful  society,  and  a  grateful  memory.  Ah,  how 
liberal  has  God's  hand  been  towards  you :  and 
how  lively  should  your  hearts  be  towards  him  ! 
You  have  a  large  room  in  many  godly  bosoms  ; 
but,  alas,  the  best  man's  confidence  on  earth  is 
insufficient  to  carry  you  to  heaven.  A  crack  in  the 
greatest  pebble  is  not  equal  to  a  flaw  in  the  small- 
est diamond. 

I  here  present  you  with  a  piece,  which  is  more 
practical  than  notional  5  more  fit  for  a  Christian  to 
live  upon,  than  for  a  critic  to  look  upon.  I  hope 
the  dregs  do  not  lie  so  thick  in  it  as  to  prevent 
your  drawing  clear  wine  from  it. 

I  have  attempted  from  this  scripture  to  draw  a 
believer's  picture,  and  hope  you  will  view  it  with 


Vll 

an  attentive  eye.  May  you  remember,  that  by 
how  much  you  are  made  greater  than  others,  by 
so  much  better  you  should  be  than  others !  On 
earth  it  is  your  chief  business  to  seek  God,  and  in 
heaven  it  will  be  your  chief  blessedness  to  see 
God.  While  some  look  with  envy  on  the  rich 
man's  estate,  may  you  look  with  trembling  on  the 
rich  man's  accounts ! 

You  know  you  should  not  only  be  pictures  of 
piety,  but  also  patterns  of  piety  :  then,  while  you 
are  descending  the  hill  of  nature,  you  will  also  be 
ascending  the  hill  of  grace  j  you  will  prove  your- 
selves such  jewels  of  mercy,  as  shall  be  locked  up 
in  the  cabinet  of  glory. — Now  that  your  happiness 
may  exceed  your  hope,  that  your  little  family  be- 
low may  compose  a  part  of  the  family  above,  that 
it  may  live  holily  with  you  on  earth,  and  eternally 
with  God  in  heaven,  is  the  earnest  prayer  of. 

Most  worthy  Patrons, 

Your  humble  Servant, 

WILLIAM  SECKER. 


Vlll 


THE  AUTHOR  TO  THE  READER. 


Christian  Reader, 

To  serve  man's  necessity,  is  charitable  j  to  serve 
his  conveniency,  is  warrantable  j  to  serve  his  in- 
iquity, is  blameable ;  but  to  serve  his  purity,  is 
honourable. 

The  design  of  this  piece  is  not  the  ostentation 
of  the  author,  but  the  edification  of  the  reader. 
In  this  subject  you  have  a  breviary  of  religion  : 
the  works  enjoined  in  it  are  weighty,  and  the 
blessings  annexed  to  it  are  many.  Christianity  is 
here  dressed  in  the  white  linen  of  purity.  As 
grace  begins  in  God's  love  to  us,  so  it  ends  in  our 
love  to  him.  It  both  makes  our  comforts  greater, 
and  Our  crowns  brighter.  Those  children  who 
are  found  moving  in  the  orbits  of  obedience, 
shall  enjoy  the  clearest  sunshine  of  their  father's 
countenance. 

Beloved,  be  sure  to  raise  your  superstructure 
upon  an  immoveable  foundation  j  and  enter  into 
such  a  business,  as  hath  an  immediate  tendency 
to  blessedness.  It  is  an  unparalleled  mercy,  to 
be  preserved  from  corruption  in  the  midst  of 
general  infection.  It  is  far  better  to  be  innocent, 
than  penitent  j  to  prevent  the  malady,  than  invent 
the  remedy. 

Remember,  Reader,  that  we  can  call  no  time 
our  own,  but  the  present.     How  carefully  should 


IX 

we  shoot,  who  have  but  one  arrow  to  direct  at  the 
mark !  The  more  you  enjoy  the  smiles  of  God, 
the  more  you  will  shine  in  the  eyes  of  those  saints, 
who  judge  of  the  trees  of  righteousness  by  the 
fruits  of  righteousness.  The  enjoyment  of  the 
world  is  neither  an  evidence  of  the  divine  favour 
or  anger.  Judge  not  yourself,  therefore,  by  the 
gold  in  your  bags,  but  by  the  grace  of  God  in  your 
heart-  not  by  your  wealth,  but  by  your  works. 
If  religion  be  your  vineyard  to  labour  in,  eternity 
shall  be  your  bed  to  rest  upon.  Every  grace  that 
is  here  exercised,  shall  there  be  glorified. 

It  is  an  unseemly  thing  to  put  on  the  fair  suit 
of  profession,  to  do  the  foul  work  of  corruption. 
The  time  is  approaching,  when  God  will  burn  up 
those  vines  which  bear  only  sour  grapes.  The 
gospel  not  only  requires  diligence,  but  it  also  re- 
quires excellence ;  that  by  the  singularity  of  your 
actions,  you  may  prove  the  sincerity  of  your  dis- 
position. 

Christian,  the  race  is  short  in  which  you  run ; 
but  the  prize  is  great  for  which  you  run.  I  wish 
this  gale  of  divinity  may  speed  your  vessel  to  the 
haven  of  felicity  :  and  when  God  gives  in  more  to 
me,  I  shall  give  out  more  to  you.  In  the  mean 
time,  I  shall  deem  it  my  highest  honour  to  be 
instrumental  to  others'  conversion  j  and  in  this 
relation  I  beg  to  subscribe  myself. 

Christian  Reader, 

Yours  in  the  Lord, 

WILLIAM  SECKER. 


PREFACE  BY  THE  EDITOR. 


Courteous  Reader, 

The  work  in  your  hand  speaks  so  powerfully  for 
itself,  that  it  requires  no  advocate  to  plead  its 
cause.  Its  author,  the  Rev.  W.  Secker,  seems 
to  have  been  a  person  of  a  peculiar  genius  and 
original  talents.  He  lived  in  the  last  century, 
was  minister  of  All-Hallows  Church,  London- 
wall,  where  he  delivered  the  substance  of  this 
publication  in  seven  Sermons. 

The  editor  has  taken  the  liberty  to  expunge 
some  parts,  to  supply  others,  and  so  to  dispose  of 
the  order  of  the  whole  work,  as  he  has  judged 
most  conducive  to  good :  and  though  it  be  now 
far  from  the  highest  literary  polish,  yet  he  flatters 
himself  that  it  will  be  found  a  real  jewel  in  the 
memory,  a  reviving  cordial  to  the  mind,  and  a 
choice  directory  to  the  steps  of  every  Christian 
reader.  With  this  hope,  he  humbly  recommends 
it  to  you,  and  you  to  that  great  God,  who  only  can 
bless,  and  who  alone  is  worthy  to  be  blessed. 

MATTHEW  WILKS. 


XI 


TO  THE  REV.  G.  WILSON. 


Sir, 

The  "  Nonsuch  Professor,"  which  you  propose  to 
reprint,  is  certainly  a  book  of  great  worth.  I  have 
read  it  formerly  with  peculiar  pleasure  and  profit. 
The  style  of  this  book  is  very  perspicuous  3  and  if 
the  time  in  which  it  was  written  is  taken  into 
consideration,  it  is  eminently  good.  But  its  chief 
excellency  is  the  admirable  strain  of  holiness  which 
runs  through  the  whole,  and  the  singular  argu- 
ments with  which  it  is  enforced.  I  am  happy  to 
find  that  it  is  going  forth  again  into  the  world  in 
a  new  edition.  To  bring  forward  such  works  of 
former  and  better  days  as  are  likely  to  stop  the 
progress  of  infidelity  and  licentiousness  is  perform- 
ing an  important  service  to  the  cause  of  religion. 
If  my  name  can  be  of  any  use  in  the  recommenda- 
tion of  this  good  work,  it  is  at  your  service. 

I  am.  Sir, 

Your's,  &c. 

J.  COCKIN. 


TO  THE  REV.  G.  WILSON. 


Dear  Sir, 

There  are  but  few  books,  of  the  kind,  which  de- 
serve to  be  held  in  greater  esteem  than  Secker's 


Xll 

''  Nonsuch  Professor."  Although  it  is  now  many 
years  since  I  first  read  it,  I  have  not  forgotten  the 
satisfaction  and  pleasure  it  aflforded  mej  and  I 
have  often  wished  to  see  it  more  extensively 
circulated  among  the  class  of  readers  for  whose  re- 
ligious instruction  it  appears  peculiarly  calculated. 
To  the  Christian  who  can  devote  but  little  time 
to  mental  improvement,  and  whose  pecuniary  cir- 
cumstances render  him  inadequate  to  the  purchase 
of  larger  works,  the  re-publication  of  Secker 
must  be  highly  acceptable.  A  book  so  rich  in 
sentiment,  and  written  in  a  style  so  likely  to  en- 
gage and  fix  attention,  cannot  fail  to  enlighten 
and  animate  the  devout  mind.  If  applied  to  the 
various  subjects  of  self-examination,  and  if  the 
solemn  truths  it  investigates,  as  essential  to  ex- 
perimental religion,  are  pressed  home  upon  the 
conscience,  it  will  be  "^  like  a  mirror  held  close  to 
the  lips :  if  there  be  the  least  breath  of  spiritual 
life  J  it  will  catch  it  and  shew  it."  I  was  therefore 
happy  to  be  informed  of  your  design  to  publish  a 
neat  and  cheap  edition  of  this  valuable  book  ;  and 
I  hope  it  will  be  honoured  with  a  circulation 
answerable  to  its  intrinsic  merit,  and  far  exceed- 
ing your  own  well-founded  expectations.  In  aid 
of  this  undertaking,  my  name,  and  any  little 
influence  I  possess,  are  at  your  command. 

I  am  your's  affectionately, 

E.  PARSONS. 


CONTENTS. 


Page 
TEXT  opened — Doctrine  raised.    That  singular  Chris- 
tians will  perform  singular  actions.      .....       4 

I.  Why  a  Christian  should  do  more  than  others — 

1.  Because  more  is  done  for  him  than  for  others      .     .  8 

2.  Because  he  is  more  nearly  related  to  God  than  others  11 

3.  Because  he  professes  more  than  others      ....  14 

4.  Because  he  is  inwardly  conformed  to  the  Redeemer 
more  than  others 16 

5.  Because  he  is  looked  upon  more  than  others  ...  19 

6.  Because  if  he  does  no  more  than  others,  it  will  ap- 
pear that  he  is  no  more  than  others 21 

7.  Because  he  is  appointed  to  be  a  judge  of  others  .     .  23 

8.  Because  he  expects  more  than  others 25 

II.  What  the  Christian  does  more  than  others — 

1.  He  does  much  good,  and  makes  but  little  noise  .     .    28 

2.  He  brings  up  the  bottom  of  his  life  to  the  top  of  his 
light 34 

3.  He  prefers  the  duty  he  owes  to  God,  to  the  danger 

he  fears  from  man 38 

4.  He  seeks  the  public  good  of  others  above  the  private 
good  of  himself 44 

5.  He  has  the  most  beautiful  conversation  among  the 
blackest  persons 51 

6.  He  chooses  the  worst  of  sorrows,  rather  than  commit 

the  least  sin 56 

7.  He  becomes  a  father  to  all  in  charity,  and  a  servant 

to  all  in  humility 65 

8.  He  mourns  most  before  God  for  those  lusts  which  ap- 
pear least  before  men 73 


XIV 

Page 

9.  He  keeps  his  heart  lowest,  when  God  raises  his  es- 
tate highest 79 

10.  He  seeks  to  be  better  inwardly  in  his  substance  than 
outwardly  in  appearance 84 

11.  He  is  grieved  more  at  the  distresses  of  the  church  than 
affected  at  his  own  happiness 88 

12.  He  renders  the  greatest  good  for  the  greatest  evil     .     93 

13.  He  takes  those  reproofs  best  which  he  needs  most    .    97 

14.  He  takes  up  duty  in  point  of  performance,  and  lays  it 
down  in  point  of  dependance 102 

15.  He  takes  up  his  contentment  in  God's  appointment  106 

16.  He  is  more  in  love  with  the  employment  of  holiness 
than  with  the  enjoyment  of  happiness Ill 

17.  He  is  more  employed  in  searching  his  own  heart  than 

in  censuring  other  men's  states 117 

18.  He  sets  out  for  God  at  his  beginning,  and  holds  out 
with  him  to  the  end 120 

19-  He  takes  all  the  shame  of  his  sins  to  himself,  and 

gives  all  the  glory  of  his  services  to  Christ    .     .     .127 
20.  He  values  an  heavenly  reversion  above  an  earthly 

>••••••••••••  133 


APPLICATION. 

I.  For  the  erection  of  singular  principles — 

1.  The  believer  will  walk  by  this  principle :  That  what- 
soever is  transacted  by  men  on  earth,  is  eyed  by  the 
Lord  in  heaven 139 

2.  That  after  all  his  present  receivings  he  vnll  be  brought 

to  his  future  reckonings 142 

3.  That  God  bears  a  greater  respect  to  his  heart  than 

to  his  works 151 

4.  That  there  is  more  final  bitterness  in  reflecting  on 
sin,  than  there  can  be  present  sweetness  in  the 
commission  of  sin        155 

5.  That  there  is  the  greatest  vanity  in  all  created  ex- 
cellency   159 

6.  That  duties  can  never  have  too  much  attention  paid 

to  them,  nor  too  little  confidence  placed  in  them     .  167 


XV 

Page 

7.  That  those  precious  promises,  which  are  given  to 
insure  his  happiness,  do  not  supersede  those  direc- 
tions which  are  laid  down  for  him .  to  seek  after 
happiness 173 

8.  That  it  is  dangerous  to  dress  himself  for  another 
world  at  the  looking-glass  of  this  world    ....  177 

9.  That  where  sin  proves  hateful,  it  shall  not  prove 
hurtful     .     .     .     .' 182 

10.  That  inward  purity  is  the  ready  road  to  outward 
plenty 186 

11.  That  all  the  time  which  God  allows  him,  is  but 
enough  for  the  work  which  he  allots  him      .     .     .  191 

12.  That  there  can  never  be  too  great  an  estrangement 
from  defilement 196 

13.  That  whatsoever  is  temporally  enjoyed  should  be 
spiritually  improved 200 

14.  That  he  should  speak  well  of  God,  whatsoever  evil 

he  receives  from  God 205 

15.  That  the  longer  God  forbears  with  the  unrelenting 
sinner  in  life,  the  sorei  he  strikes  him  in  the  judg- 
ment-day      208 

16.  That  there  is  no  judging  of  the  inward  conditions  of 
men  by  the  outward  dispensations  of  God     .     .     .213 

17.  That  it  is  safest  to  cleave  to  that  good  which  is  the 
choicest 217 

18.  That  no  present  worldly  business  should  interrupt 

his  pursuit  of  future  blessedness 220 

19.  That  gospel  integrity  towards  God  is  the  best  secu- 
rity against  wicked  men 222 

20.  That  the  richness  of  the  crown  that  shall  be  received, 
shall  more  than  compensate  for  the  bitterness  of  the 
cross  which  may  here  be  endured 225 

II.  Directio7is  to  those  who  wish  to  do  more  than  others — 

1 .  Would  they  do  more  than  others  1  then  they  must 
deny  themselves  more  than  others 230 

2.  Would  they  deny  themselves  more  than  others? 
then  they  should  pray  more  than  others   .     .     .     .    ib. 

3.  Would  they  pray  more  than  others'?  then  they 
should  resolve  more  than  others 234 


XVI 

Page 

4.  Would  they  resolve  more  than  others?  then  they 
should  love  more  than  others 235 

5.  Would  they  love  more  than  others  1  then  they 
should  believe  more  than  others 238 

6.  Would  they  believe  more  than  others?  then  they 
should  know  more  than  others 241 

7.  Would  they  knovi^  more  than  others?  then  God 
must  reveal  himself  more  to  them  than  he  does  to 
others 243 


The  Wedding-Ring,  a  Sermon, 247 


TUE 

NONSUCH  PROFESSOR. 


Matt.  v.  47. 
IVJiat  do  ye  more  than  others  ? 

In  a  mountain  the  law  was  propounded  to  Moses, 
in  a  mountain  the  law  was  expounded  by  Jesus ; 
the  former  to  a  man  of  God,  the  latter  by  the  Sou 
of  God :  the  one  to  a  prophet  of  the  Lord,  the 
other  by  the  Lord  of  the  prophets. 

As  the  works  of  Christ  were  miraculous,  so  the 
words  of  Christ  were  mysterious  j  they  were  such 
a  depth  which  none  could  sound,  but  those  whom 
God  had  furnished  with  the  plummet  of  an  en- 
lightened understanding.  Before  any  one  can 
peruse  the  scriptures  to  profit,  the  Lamb  of  God 
must  open  the  seven  seals. 

In  this  chapter,  the  soul-justifying  Saviour  con- 
demns the  self -justifying  scribes  and  pharisees. 
Never  did  men  make  more  boast  in  the  law,  but 
never  had  men  less  cause.  They  knew  but  little 
as  to  the  letter,  but  less  of  its  spirit.  They  were 
better  acquainted  with  the  customs  of  nature,  than 
the  canons  of  scripture.  Alas,  how  shall  the  blind 
see,  when  the  seers  are  blind  ?  They  who  should 
have  put  the  eyes  of  others  in,  had  put  their  own 
out. 


2  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  righteous  laws  of  God  cannot  connive  at 
the  unrighteous  lives  of  men ;  they  not  only  re- 
quire truth  without,  but  within  also.  The  rays  of 
this  sun  enter  the  most  secret  chambers  of  the 
heart :  therefore  he  that  lusteth  after,  and  he  that 
lieth  with  a  woman,  are  both  adulterers.  He  is 
a  murderer  whose  heart  is  full  of  hatred,  though 
his  hands  be  free  from  violence.  Thus  the  lusts 
of  men  may  be  predominant,  when  the  lives  of  men 
are  not  inordinate  ;  as  guests  may  be  in  the  house, 
when  they  look  not  out  of  the  windows.  He  who 
begins  religion  where  it  should  end,  will  end  re- 
ligion where  it  should  be  begun. 

But  as  the  suburbs  direct  to  the  city,  and  the 
portal  leads  to  the  palace,  so  the  context  will 
guide  us  to  the  text. 

'If  ye  love  them  that  love  you,  what  reward 
have  you  ?  do  not  the  publicans  the  same  V 

As  an  echo  returns  the  voice  it  receives,  so  many 
will  shew  kindness  where  kindness  is  shewn  :  but 
shall  publicans  be  as  godly  as  the  Lord's  disciples  ? 
Shall  the  sons  of  men  equalize  the  sons  of  God  ? 
Shall  the  law  of  nature  swell  to  so  high  a  tide  as 
the  law  of  grace  ?  This  were  for  the  dribbling  ri- 
vulet to  vie  with  the  drowning  ocean ;  this  were' 
for  royalty  to  degenerate  into  beggary  ;  and  for  the 
meridian  sun  to  yield  no  more  light  than  midnight 
shades. 

'  If  you  salute  your  brethren  only,  what  do  ye 
more  than  others  ?' 

I  shall  not  curiously  dissect  these  words,  lest  I 
should  present  to  your  view  a  frightful  skeleton ; 
nor  shall  I  lavishly  paint  these  windows,  lest  my 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  3 

deep  colours  should  shut  out  the  light.  The  native 
comeliness  of  scripture  scorns  the  unnatural  colour 
of  a  bewitching  Jezebel.  One  rough  diamond  is 
of  more  value  than  many  smooth  counterfeits. 

My  subject  treats  not  of  oratory,  but  divinity- 
and  my  design  in  it  is  rather  to  express  aflfections, 
than  to  aft'ect  expressions.  Though  the  sweetness 
of  the  sauce  may  yield  pleasure  to  the  palate,  yet 
it  is  only  the  soundness  of  the  meat  that  can  ad- 
minister nourishment  to  the  blood. 

This  text  is  like  a  precious  jewel,  small  in 
quantity,  but  great  in  quality.  The  words  con- 
tain two  parts : 

I.  An  action  propounded. 

II.  A  question  proposed. 

1 .  An  action  propounded,  touching  that  which 
is  lawful :  because  salutation  is  only  a  pledge  of 
aft'ection,  it  is  the  overflowing  of  the  heart  at  the 
lips.  There  is  a  kiss  of  subjection  and  obedience, 
that  is  the  subject's  kiss  5  there  is  a  kiss  of  wanton- 
ness and  temptation,  that  is  the  harlot's  kiss  j  there 
is  a  kiss  of  dissimulation,  that  is  the  traitor's  kiss  j 
there  is  also  a  kiss  of  tenderness  and  aflfection,  and 
that  is  the  brother's  kiss. 

Now  this  scripture  enjoins  you  not  only  to  sa- 
lute your  friends,  but  your  enemies  also.  Party 
esteem  is  but  withered  fruit,  and  falls  rather  from 
Sodom's  than  Sion's  trees.  There  is  therefore  a 
kiss  of  pity  and  forgiveness,  and  that  is  the  Chris- 
tian's kiss  :  if  this  be  wanting,  the  others  are  vain. 
For,  if  ije  salute  your  brethren  only,  then  observe 
what  follows  5  which  is, 

2.  A  question  proposed,  'What  do  ye  more 
than  others  V 


4  THE   NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Doctrine ; — that  singular  Christians  wilt  perform 
singular  actions. 

This  is  the  well  from  which  I  shall  draw  the 
water,  and  the  foundation  upon  which  I  shall  raise 
the  superstructure.  You  cannot  rationally  ima- 
gine that  you  will  be  supplied  with  bitter  streams 
from  so  sweet  a  spring,  or  that  I  should  make  a 
bowing  wall  or  tottering  fence  with  such  choice 
materials.  Those  who  collect  pearls  from  this 
spot,  will  leave  as  many  behind  them  as  they  carry 
with  them. 

As  the  disciples  of  Christ  are  more  than  others, 
so  the  disciples  of  Christ  do  more  than  others.  A 
hypocrite  may  move  beyond  a  sodomite  5  but  a 
Christian  moves  beyond  them  both.  Though  the 
naturally  dead  can  do  nothing,  yet  the  spiritually 
dead  may  do  something.  Though  they  can  do  no- 
thing to  merit  the  grace  of  life,  yet  they  may  do 
something  as  to  using  the  means  of  life. 

Cicero  complains  of  Homer,  "  that  he  taught  the 
gods  to  live  like  men  :"  but  grace  teaches  men  to 
live  like  gods.  It  is  lamentable  that  we  should  live 
so  long  in  the  world,  and  do  so  little  for  God  j  or 
that  we  should  live  so  short  a  time  in  the  world, 
and  do  so  much  for  Satan.  Other  creatures  are  not 
more  below  a  sinner,  than  a  saint  is  above  a  sinner. 
Man  is  the  excellency  of  the  creature,  the  saint  is 
the  excellency  of  man  ;  grace  is  the  excellency  of 
the  saint,  and  glory  is  the  excellency  of  grace. 

Believers  are  among  others,  as  Saul  was  among 
the  Israelites,  the  tallest  by  the  head  and  shoulders. 
Their  birth  is  truly  low,  who  are  not  born  from 
above.  What  are  such  earthly  shrubs,  compared 
with  heavenly  cedars ;  or  such  thorns  of  the  world's 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  5 

brake,  to  the  willows  of  God's  brook  ?  Those  trees 
which  have  their  top  branches  of  hope  in  heaven, 
will  have  their  lower  boughs  of  activity  on  earth. 
Those  who  look  for  a  heaven  made  ready,  will  live 
as  though  they  were  already  in  heaven. 

Grace  not  only  makes  a  man  more  a  man,  but  it 
also  makes  him  more  than  a  man.  The  primitive 
Christians  were  the  best  of  men.  None  were  more 
lowly  in  their  dispositions,  or  more  lovely  in  their 
conversation.  Noah  was  a  just  man,  and  perfect 
in  his  generation.  He  was  not  a  sinner  among 
saints,  but  he  was  a  saint  among  sinners.  Who 
would  have  looked  for  so  fair  a  bird  in  so  foul  a 
nest  ?  Though  he  once  acted  as  the  sons  of  men 
do,  yet  he  was  numbered  with  the  sons  of  God. 
A  field  of  wheat  may  be  good,  and  yet  have  a  weed 
in  it.  A  saint  is  not  free  from  sin,  that  is  his  bur- 
den ■  a  saint  is  not  free  to  sin,  that  is  his  blessing. 
Sin  is  in  him,  that  is  his  lamentation  5  his  soul  is 
not  in  sin,  that  is  his  consolation. 

Mark  how  an  immaculate  Saviour  glories  in  one 
of  these  singular  saints  :  And  the  Lord  said  unto 
Satan,  hast  thou  considered  my  servant  Job  9  Why, 
what  is  there  in  him  so  considerable?  There  is 
none  like  him  in  all  the  earth.  Though  there  were 
none  in  heaven  so  bad  as  Job,  yet  there  were  none 
on  earth  so  good  as  Job.  He  was  a  man  so  like 
unto  God,  that  there  was  no  man  like  him. 

A  gracious  person  once  hearing  how  far  an  hy- 
pocrite might  go,  said,  '  Let  hypocrites  proceed  as 
far  as  they  can  in  that  which  is  laudable;  and 
when  they  can  advance  no  further,  I  will  go  be- 
yond them.'  A  true  Christian  not  only  does  more 
b3 


0  THE  NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

than  others  icill  do,  but  he  also  tloes  more  than 
others  can  do.  Whatsoever  is  not  above  the  top 
of  nature,  is  below  the  bottom  of  grace.  There  are 
some  who  pretend  to  believe,  but  work  not ;  there 
are  others  who  vv^ork,  but  believe  not :  but  a  saint 
does  both  j  he  so  obeys  the  law,  as  if  there  were 
no  gospel  to  be  believed  j  and  so  believes  the  gos- 
pel, as  though  there  were  no  law  to  be  obeyed. 
Religion  consists  not  singly  in  believing,  or  doing, 
but  in  both. 

There  are  four  sorts  of  things  in  the  world : 

1 .  There  are  some  things  which  are  neither  good 
nor  pleasant ;  as  envy  and  detraction.  The  eclips- 
ing of  another's  sun  will  not  make  thine  own  shine 
with  brighter  beams.  O  pare  ofl  those  envious 
nails,  which  are  ever  disfiguring  that  face  which  is 
fairer  than  thine  own.  Why  do  you  wound  your- 
self with  that  plaster,  which  is  laid  upon  your  bi"o- 
ther's  sore ;  or  weep  at  every  shower,  which  falls 
beside  your  own  inclosure  ?  Who  would  envy  an 
ox  that  pasture,  which  only  fits  it  for  the  slaughter ; 
or  the  malefactor  that  carriage,  which  only  conveys 
him  to  the  place  of  execution  ?  You  have  no  less, 
because  others  have  much  -,  nor  have  they  much, 
because  you  have  little.  Another's  wealth  is  no 
more  the  cause  of  your  want,  than  Leah's  fruit- 
fulness  was  the  cause  of  Rachel's  barrenness.  O 
never  pine  at  your  neighbour's  prosperity,  and  you 
shall  never  pine  away  through  your  own  scarcity. 
He  enjoys  much  who  is  thankful  for  a  little.  A 
grateful  mind,  is  a  great  mind. 

2.  There  are  some  things  which  are  pleasant, 
but  not  good,  as  youthful  lusts  and  worldly  de- 


IS!  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  7 

lights.  These  bees  carry  honey  in  their  mouths, 
but  they  have  a  sting  in  their  tails.  When  this 
Jael  brings  forth  her  milk  and  her  butter,  then 
beware  of  the  nail  and  the  hammer^  Death  is  in 
the  pot  while  you  are  tasting  the  soup.  The  world 
always  presents  a  deadly  potion  in  the  gilded  cup 
of  worldly  pleasure.  If  the  cup  be  sinful,  do  not 
taste  it ;  if  it  be  lawful,  carouse  not  over  it.  Rea- 
son forbids  you,  either  to  taste  known  poison,  or 
to  be  intoxicated  with  pleasant  wine.  The  fish  is 
caught  upon  the  hook,  by  leaping  at  the  bait.  Sin 
is  like  a  river,  which  begins  in  a  quiet  spring,  but 
ends  in  a  tumultuous  sea. 

3.  There  are  some  things  good,  but  not  plea- 
sant, as  sorrow  and  affiiction.  Sin  is  pleasant,  but 
unprofitable  ;  and  sorrow  is  profitable,  but  unplea- 
sant. By  affliction,  the  Lord  separates  the  sin  that 
he  hates,  from  the  soul  that  he  loves.  He  does 
not  always  ordain  it,  to  take  your  spirit  out  of 
your  flesh,  but  your  flesh  out  of  your  spirit.  It  is 
not  sent  to  take  down  the  tabernacle  of  nature ; 
but  to  rear  up  the  temple  of  grace  within  you. 
As  waters  are  purest  when  they  are  in  motion,  so 
saints  are  generally  holiest  when  in  affliction.  A 
foul  fescue  frequently  points  to  a  fair  lesson.  Some 
Christians  resemble  those  children,  who  will  learn 
their  books  no  longer  than  while  the  rod  is  on 
their  backs.  It  is  well  known,  that  by  the  greatest 
affliction  the  Lord  has  sealed  the  sweetest  instruc- 
tion. Many  are  not  bettered  by  the  judgments 
they  see,  when  they  have  by  the  judgments  they 
have  felt.  The  purest  gold  is  the  most  pliable. 
That  is  the  best  blade,  which  bends  well,  without 
retaining  its  crooked  figure. 


8  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

4.  There  are  some  things  both  good  and  plea- 
sant, and  those  are,  gracious  operations  on  the  soul, 
A  behever's  bed  of  graces  is  more  fragrant  than 
the  most  precious  bed  of  spices.  He  who  freely 
gives  his  image  to  us,  must  of  necessity  love  his 
image  in  us.  How  illustrious  do  the  heavens  ap- 
pear, while  the  sun  is  radiating  them  with  his 
beams  !  Now,  my  brethren,  '  Whatsoever  things 
are  true,  honest,  just,  lovely,  and  of  good  report, 
if  there  be  any  virtue,  if  there  be  any  praise,  think 
on  these  things.' 

But,  as  you  cannot  see  so  well  by  a  candle  un- 
der a  bushel  as  upon  a  table,  I  shall  therefore  hold 
up  the  subject  to  your  view  in  the  following  light : 
First,  I  shall  touch  upon  the  explanation  of  that 
which  is  doctrinal. 

Secondly,  Upon  the  application  of  that  which 
is  practical. 

The  former  is  like  cutting  the  garment  outj 
the  latter  is  like  putting  the  garment  on. 

I  am  first  to  treat  of  that  which  is  doctrinal. 
And  here  I  shall  shew,  first,  why  a  believer  does 
more  than  others  •  and,  secondly,  what  he  does 
more  than  others. 

I  begin  with  the  first.  Why  do  Christians  do 
more  than  others  ? 

] .  Because  more  is  done  for  them,  than  is  done 
for  others. 

There  is  that  done  for  them,  which  none  but  he 
who  made  them  could  do.  They  are  loved,  they 
are  atoned  for,  they  are  prayed  for,  and  they  are 
provided  for,  more  than  others.  Now  where  there 
is  a  superaddition  of  privilege,  there  should  be  a 
superaddition  of  practice.      We  naturally  expect 


IN   HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  9 

'more  splendour  from  the  beaming  of  the  sun,  than 
from  the  burning  of  a  candle  ;  and  we  look  for 
more  moisture  from  the  dissolving  of  a  cloud,  than 
from  the  dropping  of  a  bucket.  The  same  heat 
that  melts  the  wax,  will  harden  the  clay.  The 
juice  which  distils  into  a  rose,  is  returned  in  a 
sweet  perfume  ;  but  that  which  drops  upon  a  net- 
tle, is  returned  in  an  ill  savour.  If  the  mercies  of 
God  be  not  load-stones  to  draw  us  to  heaven,  they 
will  be  mill-stones  to  draw  or  sink  us  in  perdition. 

*^To  whom  much  is  given,  of  them  much  shall 
be  required.'  The  blessings  we  enjoy  are  not  the 
fruit  of  our  merit,  but  the  fruit  of  God's  mercy. 
By  how  much  the  more  grace  we  have  received, 
by  so  much  the  more  glory  we  are  obliged  to  re- 
turn to  the  giver.  He  does  not  exact  much,  where 
little  is  bestowed  ;  nor  accept  little,  where  much 
is  received.  A  drop  of  praise  is  an  unsuitable  ac- 
knowledgement for  an  ocean  of  mercy.  'Hear 
this  word  that  the  Lord  hath  spoken  against  you, 
O  children  of  Israel — You  only  have  I  known  of 
all  the  families  of  the  earth.'  But  was  their  return 
according  to  the  benefit  ?  No,  surely ;  otherwise 
he  would  not  have  added,  '  Therefore  I  will  punish 
you  for  all  your  iniquities.'  They  were  more 
known  to  God  than  others,  therefore  they  should 
have  acknowledged  him  more  than  others. 

Those  who  have  tasted  the  goodness  of  God,  can 
never  speak  good  enough  of  God.  Reason  teaches, 
that  those  should  bless  most,  who  are  most  blessed. 
What  are  carnal  men  to  Christian  men  ?  The  pow- 
er of  God  appears  in  the  formation  of  one ;  but 
the  stupendous  grace  of  God  shines  illustriously  in 


10  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

the  transformation  of  the  other.  In  creation,  God 
has  given  the  productions  of  the  earth  for  our  bo- 
dies :  but  in  redemption  he  has  given  himself  for 
our  souls.  Thus,  it  appears  to  be  a  greater  favour 
to  be  converted  than  to  be  created  j  yea,  it  were 
better  for  us  to  have  no  being,  than  not  to  have  a 
new  being. 

When  you  were  sailing  to  destruction,  before 
sin's  dangerous  blast,  then  the  most  blessed  gales  of 
mercy  sprang  up,  and  changed  your  course.  When 
you  lay  in  the  blood  of  transgression,  then  God  be- 
held you  with  bowels  of  compassion.  His  heart 
pitied  you,  and  his  hand  helped  you.  Now,  where 
there  is  distinguishing  mercy,  there  ought  to  be  dis- 
tinguishing duty.  The  husbandman  who  holds  the 
largest  farms,  will  pay  the  greatest  rent :  and  he 
who  sows  the  most  precious  seed,  will  expect  the 
choicest  crop.  Now  read  the  great  husbandman's 
complaint  against  his  vineyard :  Now  will  I  sing 
to  my  beloved,  a  song  of  my  beloved,  touching  his 
vineyard :  my  well-beloved  hath  a  vineyard  on  a 
very  fruitful  hill ;  and  he  fenced  it,  and  gathered 
out  the  stones  thereof,  and  planted  it  with  the  choi- 
cest vine ;  and  built  a  tower  in  the  midst,  and  also 
made  a  wine-press  therein.  Here  is  an  inventory 
of  God's  goodness  to  his  vineyard.  Now,  what 
follows  }  He  looked  that  it  should  bring  forth 
grapes,  and  it  brought  forth  wild  grapes.  He  look- 
ed that  they  should  be  better  to  him  than  others, 
because  he  had  been  better  to  them  than  he  had 
been  to  others. 

God  had  made  them  flowers  of  paradise,  while 
others  were  left  as  the  weeds  of  the  wilderness. 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  1  1 

While  others  were  Satan's  thoroughfare,  they  were 
God's  choice  inclosure. 

How  has  God  embraced  you,  who  are  believers, 
over  many  shoulders  !  He  has  made  you  his  own 
dials,  on  which  the  beams  of  the  sun  of  righteous- 
ness do  shine !  He  has  made  you  studs  for  his 
crown,  while  others  are  stools  for  his  feet !  Lord, 
how  is  it  that  thou  wilt  manifest  thyself  to  us,  and 
not  unto  the  world  ?  As  if  he  had  said.  Lord,  what 
are  we  more  than  others,  that  thou  shouldest  show 
thyself  to  us ;  when  thou  mightest  have  shewn  thy- 
self to  them  and  not  to  us  ? 

Reader !  has  God  made  you  a  vessel  to  honour 
out  of  the  same  lump  ?  Has  he  shewn  himself  to 
you,  and  not  unto  the  world  ?  And  will  you  not 
shew  yourself  for  God,  and  not  for  the  world? 
Remember,  that  it  lay  as  a  great  blotch  on  Heze- 
kiah's  escutcheon.  That  he  rendered  not  unto  the 
Lord  according  to  the  benefit  done  unto  him. 

2.  Another  reason  why  Christians  do  more  than 
others,  is.  Because  they  stand  in  a  nearer  relation 
to  God  than  others. 

The  nearer  the  relation,  the  stronger  are  the  ties 
of  obligation.  In  this  view,  believers  on  earth  are 
superior  to  angels  in  heaven.  Christ  is  related  to 
them  as  a  lord  to  his  servants  :  but  he  is  united  to 
these  as  a  head  to  its  members.  In  this  head  there 
are  no  glazed  eyes,  nor  are  there  any  withered  or 
dead  members  in  this  body.  While  others  are 
made  of  God,  these  are  born  of  God.  While  others 
stand  before  him  as  prisoners  before  their  judge, 
these  appear  before  him  as  children  before  a  father, 
and  as  a  bride  before  a  bridegroom.     There  are  no 


12  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOK 

still-born  children  in  the  family  of  grace.  God  is 
the  living-  father,  and  therefore  all  his  children  live 
by  him.;  he  is  also  the  everlasting  Father,  and  there- 
fore he  will  have  due  honour  paid  him.  For  a  son 
honoureth  his  father,  and  a  servant  his  master :  if 
then  I  be  a  father,  where  is  mine  honour  ?  and  if  I 
he  a  master,  where  is  my  fear  ?  As  a  father,  he  will 
be  revered  for  his  goodness  :  and  as  a  master,  he 
will  be  feared  for  his  greatness. 

If  honour  be  not  the  Lord's  due,  let  him  not  have 
it :  if  it  be  his  due,  let  him  not  be  denied  it.  As 
man  was  born  to  serve  God,  he  had  better  never 
have  been  born,  than  to  refuse  him  that  service. 

When  the  son  of  Fluvius  was  found  in  the  con- 
spiracy of  Catiline,  the  displeased  Father  reprehend- 
ed him  sharply,  saying,  Non  ego  te  CatiliniE,  genui 
sedpatrice.  *I  did  not  beget  you  for  Catihne,  but 
for  your  country.'  This  is  the  language  of  God  to 
his  children.  I  gave  you  not  bodies  and  souls  to 
serve  sin  with,  but  to  serve  me  with.  Our  bodies 
were  not  formed  to  be  the  instruments  of  unright- 
eous actions,  nor  our  souls  the  gloomy  abodes  of 
foul  spirits. 

The  everlasting  Father  cannot  brook  the  un- 
grateful behaviour  of  his  own  children.  There- 
fore, attend  to  the  great  complaint  he  prefers 
against  them :  Hear,  0  heavens,  and  give  ear,  O 
earth,  for  my  children  refuse  to  hear ;  I  have  nou- 
rished and  brought  up  children,  and  they  have  re- 
belled against  me! — Where  the  relation  is  the 
nearest,  there  the  provocation  is  the  greatest.  It 
is  far  more  pleasing  to  behold  rebels  becoming 
children,  than  to  behold  children  becoming  rebels. 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUIl.  J  3 

When  Caesar  was  wounded  by  the  senators  of 
Rome,  Brutus,  a  Roman  of  an  illustrious  family, 
also  made  a  pass  at  him.  With  that,  Caesar  gave 
him  a  wishful  look,  saying,  '  What  thou,  my  son 
Brutus  !'  How  can  that  tender  mother  endure  to 
feel  those  lips  sucking  her  blood,  which  were  wont 
to  draw  her  maternal  breast  ?  The  unkindness  of 
a  friend  is  more  sensibly  felt  than  that  of  an 
enemy. 

The  Roman  censors  took  such  an  utter  dislike  to 
the  debauched  son  of  Africanus,  that  they  refused 
to  let  him  wear  a  ring  on  Avhich  his  father's  like- 
ness was  engraven  j  alleging,  '  that  he  who  was  so 
unlike  the  father's  person,  was  unworthy  to  wear 
the  father's  picture.'  Thus  God  will  never  grant 
any  to  enjoy  the  love  of  Christ  in  heaven,  who  are 
destitute  of  the  likeness  of  Christ  on  earth. 

Alexander,  who  is  reported  to  have  been  an  ex- 
ceedingly swift  runner,  was  once  solicited  to  run 
in  the  Olympic  games.  He  answered,  *  I  will,  if 
kings  are  mine  antagonists.'  Give  me  such  a  saint 
who  will  pursue  nothing  on  earth,  which  may  be 
unsuitable  to  his  birth  from  heaven.  What,  shall 
he  walk  in  darkness,  whose  father  is  light  ?  Shall 
those  lips  be  found  broaching  falsehood,  which  Were 
found  breathing  out  prayers  ?  Shall  those  eyes  be 
found  gazing  on  unseemly  objects,  which  were 
found  reading  the  lively  oracles  of  God  ? 

The  remembrance  of  our  dignity  should  engage 
us  to  our  heavenly  duty.  It  is  not  for  kings,  0 
Lemuel,  it  is  not  for  kings  to  drink  wine  and  strong 
drink.  Such  a  sin  is  detestable  in  a  sovereign,  who 
has  the  eyes  of  his  subjects  upon  him  j  but  it  is  ag- 


14  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

gravated  in  a  saint,  who  has  the  eyes  of  his  Sa- 
viour upon  him.  A  spot  in  scarlet,  is  worse  than 
a  stain  in  russet. 

3.  Another  reason  why  Christians  do  more  than 
others,  is.  Because  they  profess  more  than  others. 

Though  there  be  many  professors  who  are  not 
true  believers  -,  yet  there  are  no  tine  believers  but 
what  are  professors.  As  trees  are  known  by  their 
fruits,  so  believers  are  known  by  their  works.  Such 
as  have  received  Christ's  bounty,  are  unwilling  to 
fight  under  Satan's  banner. 

There  are  many  who  profess  to  know  God,  but 
in  works  deny  him ;  being  abominable,  disobedient, 
and  to  every  good  work  reprobate.  Man  is  not 
what  he  says,  but  what  he  does.  For  a  man  to 
say  what  he  does,  and  not  to  do  what  he  says,  is 
to  resemble  those  trees  which  are  full  of  leaves 
but  void  of  fruits — those  barns,  wherein  there  is 
much  chaff,  but  no  grain.  What  is  the  chaff  to 
the  wheat  ?  saith  the  Lord. 

Ah,  how  intolerable  will  the  punishment  of 
those  professors  be,  who  have  appeared  as  burn- 
ished gold  to  men,  and  are  found  only  base  metal 
in  the  sight  of  God  !  What  will  it  profit,  to  put 
off  the  old  manners,  and  not  put  off  the  old  man  ? 
A  snake  may  change  its  skin,  and  yet  preserve  its 
sting.  The  gospel  professed,  may  lift  a  man  unto 
heaven  3  but  it  is  only  the  gospel  possessed,  that 
brings  a  man  into  heaven.  To  profess  piety,  and 
yet  to  practise  impiety,  will  be  so  far  from  ad- 
vancing a  man's  commendation,  that  it  will  assur- 
edly heighten  his  condemnation. 

And  why  call  ye  me.  Lord,  Lord,  and  do  not  the 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  15 

things  that  I  say  9  As  if  he  had  said.  Either  keep 
my  words  more,  or  else  call  me  Lord  no  more  ^ 
either  take  me  into  your  lives,  or  cast  me  out  of 
your  lips. — As  princes  disdain  to  have  their  im- 
ages on  base  counterfeits,  so  the  Lord  Jesus  can- 
not delight  to  see  his  name  on  rotten  hypocrites. 
Therefore  he  saith.  Let  every  one  that  nameth  the 
name  of  Christ,  depart  from  all  iniquity.  If  god- 
liness be  evil,  why  is  it  so  much  professed  ?  if  it 
be  good,  why  is  it  so  little  practised  ? 

Who  hath  saved,  and  called  us  with  an  holy  call- 
ing. Now  a  holy  calling  will  be  attended  with 
a  holy  carriage.  Many  may  be  found  who  can 
talk  of  grace,  but  very  few  can  be  found  who  taste 
of  grace.  It  is  not  eveiy  one  who  looks  like  a 
Christian,  that  lives  like  a  Christian.  For  there 
are  some  who  make  their  boast  of  the  law  j  and 
yet  through  breaking  of  the  law  they  dishonour 
God.  It  is  a  greater  glory  to  us  that  we  are  al- 
lowed to  serve  God,  than  it  is  to  him  that  we  of- 
fer him  that  service.  He  is  not  rendered  happy 
by  us  •  but  we  are  made  happy  by  him.  He  can 
do  without  such  earthly  servants ;  but  we  cannot 
do  without  such  a  heavenly  master. 

It  is  unnatural  for  a  Christian's  tongue  to  be 
larger  than  his  hand.  It  is  lamentable  for  him  to 
hold  a  lamp  to  others,  and  yet  to  walk  in  darkness 
himself.  There  are  generally  more  infected  by  the 
undue  conduct  of  some,  than  there  are  instructed 
by  the  righteous  doctrines  of  others.  He  that 
gives  proper  precepts,  and  then  sets  improper  ex- 
amples, resembles  that  foolish  person  who  labours 
hard  to  kindle  a  fire,  and  when  he  has  done  it. 


16 


THE  NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 


throws  cold  water  upon  it  to  quench  it.  Though 
such  a  physician  may  administer  the  reviving  cor- 
dial to  some  fainting  disciple,  yet  he  is  in  danger 
himself  of  dying  in  a  swoon.  I  may  say  of  such 
professors  as  was  once  said  of  a  certain  preacher, 
'That  when  he  was  in  the  pulpit,  it  was  a  pity 
he  should  ever  leave  it,  he  was  so  excellent  an  in- 
structor J  but  when  he  was  outof  it,  it  was  a  pity 
he  should  ever  ascend  it  again,  he  was  so  wretch- 
ed a  liver.' 

Many  people  are  offended  with  the  profession 
of  religion,  because  all  are  not  religious  who  make 
a  profession.  A  little  consideration  will  correct 
this  error.  Does  the  sheep  despise  its  fleece,  be- 
cause the  wolf  has  worn  it  ?  Who  blames  a 
crystal  river,  because  some  melancholy  men  have 
drowned  themselves  in  its  streams?  The  best 
drugs  have  their  adultrates.  And  will  you  re- 
fuse opiate,  because  some  have  wantonly  poisoned 
themselves  with  it  ?  Though  you  have  been  co- 
zened with  false  colours,  yet  you  should  not  dis- 
esteem  that  which  is  dyed  in  grain.  He  is  a  bad 
economist  who,  having  a  spot  in  his  garment,  cuts 
off  the  cloth,  instead  of  rubbing  off  the  dirt.  God 
rejects  all  religion,  but  his  own. 

4.  Another  reason  why  Christians  do  more  than 
others,  is.  Because  they  are  inwardly  conformed  to 
the  image  of  their  Redeemer  more  than  others. 

As  Jesus  Christ  is  the  fountain  of  all  excellency, 
to  which  all  must  come  j  so  he  is  the  pattern  of 
excellency,  to  which  all  must  conform.  As  he  is 
the  root  on  which  a  saint  grows  ;  so  he  is  the  rule 
by  which  a  saint  walks.     God  has  made  one  Son 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  17 

ill  the  image  of  us  all,  that  he  might  make  all  his 
sons  in  the  image  of  that  one.  Jesus  Christ  lived 
to  teach  us  how  to  live,  and  died  to  teach  us  how 
to  die.  Therefore  he  commands  us,  saying.  Learn 
of  me  ;  for  I  am  meek  and  lowly  in  heart  j  and  ye 
shall  find  rest  unto  your  souls.  O  reader !  if  the 
life  of  Christ  be  not  your  pattern,  the  death  of 
Christ  will  never  be  your  pardon  !  Though  the 
Lord  Jesus  was  a  man  of  many  sorrows,  yet  he 
was  not  a  man  of  the  least  sin.  No  man  can 
equalize  him  in  holiness  3  yet  every  man  ought  to 
imitate  him  in  holiness. 

As  the  sun  is  the  glory  of  creation,  so  is  Christ 
the  glory  of  redemption.  The  summit  of  moral 
religion  consists  in  imitating  God :  without  this, 
your  religion  will  be  found  a  Tekel :  when  it  is 
weighed  in  the  balance,  it  will  be  wanting.  It 
would  be  well  if  there  were  as  great  a  similarity 
between  the  life  of  Christ  and  the  life  of  Chris- 
tians, as  there  is  between  a  just  copy  and  the  ori- 
ginal. What  he  was  by  nature,  that  we  should  be 
by  grace.  As  face  answereth  to  face  in  water,  so 
should  life  answer  to  life  in  scripture.  He  that 
was  a  way  to  others,  never  went  out  of  the  way 
himself. 

A  truly  religious  life,  is  a  crystal  glass ;  where- 
in Christ  sees  his  own  likeness.  In  our  sacra- 
mental participations,  we  shew  forth  the  death  of 
Christ  •  but  in  our  evangelical  conversation,  we 
shew  forth  the  life  of  Christ.  An  excellent  Christ 
calls  for  excellent  Christians.  As  he  was  never 
unemployed,  so  he  was  never  ill-employed.  For, 
he  went  about  doing  good.  As  our  happiness  lay 
c3 


18  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

near  his  heart,  so  his  honour  should  lie  near  our 
hearts. 

Jesus  Christ  even  submits  his  person  to  be  judg- 
ed by  his  actions.  If  I  do  not  the  works  of  my 
Father,  believe  me  not.  As  if  he  had  said.  Never 
take  me  for  a  Saviour,  if  I  act  contrary  to  a  Sa- 
viour. Thus  should  it  be  with  a  professor  :  Never 
take  me  for  a  Christian,  if  I  live  contrary  to  the 
life  of  a  Christian.  If  professors  do  more  than 
others,  it  might  be  said, '  Those  are  men  and  pro- 
fessors -  but  not  men  and  Christians.' 

Man  is  naturally  an  aspiring  being,  and  loves  to 
be  nearest  to  those  who  are  highest.  Why  does 
he  not  therefore  take  as  much  delight  in  those 
precepts  which  enjoin  holiness,  as  in  those  pro- 
mises which  ensure  happiness  ? 

All  those  who  are  conformed  to  the  image  of  the 
Redeemer,  are  as  willing  to  be  ruled  by  Christ,  as 
they  are  to  be  esteemed  by  him.  He  that  deems 
his  yoke  heavy,  will  not  find  his  crown  easy. 

By  David's  language,  there  were  many  singular 
saints  in  his  day :  To  the  saints  that  are  in  the  earth, 
and  to  the  excellent,  in  whom  is  all  my  delight. 
Was  it  so  then  ?  and  should  it  not  be  so  now  ? 
We  know  the  New  Testament  outshines  the  Old, 
as  much  as  the  sun  outshines  the  moon.  If  we 
then  live  in  a  more  glorious  dispensation,  should 
we  not  maintain  a  more  glorious  conversation  ? 

How  blessed  would  it  he  for  us,  to  have  that 
blessed  scripture  fulfilled  in  us,  Js  he  was,  so  are 
we  in  this  world.  Now  if  we  are  in  this  Avorld  as 
he  was,  we  shall  be  in  heaven  as  he  is.  If  there 
be  no  likeness  between  Christ  and  you  on  earth. 


IN'  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  19 

there  can  be  no  friendship  between  Christ  and  you 
in  heaven. 

5.  Another  reason  why  Christians  should  do 
more  than  others,  is.  Because  they  are  looked  upon 
more  than  others. 

If  once  a  man  commence  a  professor,  the  eyes 
of  all  are  upon  him  ;  and  well  they  may,  for  his 
profession  in  the  world  is  a  separation  from  the 
world.  Believers  condemn  those  by  their  lives, 
who  condemn  them  by  their  lips.  Righteous  Da- 
vid saw  many  who  were  waiting  to  triumph  in  his 
mistakes.  Hence  the  more  they  watched,  the 
more  he  prayed.  Teach  me  thy  way,  0  Lord,  and 
lead  vie  in  a  plain  path,  because  of  mine  enemies. 
It  may  be  rendered,  because  of  mine  observers. 

Christian !  if  you  dwell  in  the  open  tent  of  li- 
centiousness, the  wicked  will  not  walk  backward, 
like  modest  Shem  and  Japheth,  to  cover  your 
shame  5  but  they  will  walk  forward,  like  cui-sed 
Ham,  to  publish  it.  Thus  they  make  use  of  your 
weakness  as  a  plea  for  their  wickedness. 

Men  are  merciless  in  their  censures  of  Chris- 
tians ;  they  have  no  sympathy  for  their  infirmity  : 
while  God  weighs  them  in  more  equal  scales,  and 
says.  The  spirit  is  willing,  but  the  flesh  is  weak. 
While  the  saint  is  a  dove  in  the  eyes  of  God,  he  is 
only  a  raven  in  the  estimation  of  sinners. 

Consider,  Christian,  that  an  unholy  conversation 
strips  off  the  rich  ornamental  jewels  from  the  neck 
of  the  bride,  the  Lamb's  wife.  Sin  indulged  in  a 
believer,  is  like  a  rent  in  a  richly-embroidered  gar- 
ment j  or  like  a  crack  in  a  silver  bell.  A  foul 
spot  is  soonest  discerned  in  the  fairest  cloth.     The 


20  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

world  will  sooner  make  an  excuse  for  its  own  en- 
ormities, than  for  your  infirmities. 

The  behaviour  of  some  professors  has  often  given 
the  wicked  an  opportunity  to  reproach  religion. — 
Lactantius  reports,  that  the  heathens  were  wont  to 
say,  '  The  master  could  not  be  good,  when  his  dis- 
ciples were  so  bad.'  The  malice  of  sinners  is  such, 
that  they  will  reproach  the  rectitude  of  the  law, 
for  the  obliquity  of  their  lives  who  swerve  from  it. 
O  that  your  pure  life  did  but  hang  a  padlock  upon 
their  impure  lips !  Such  will  ever  be  throwing  the 
dirt  of  professors  upon  the  face  of  profession. 

If  the  sun  be  eclipsed  one  day,  it  attracts  more 
spectators  than  if  it  shone  a  whole  year.  So  if  you 
commit  one  sin,  it  will  cause  you  many  sorrows,  and 
the  world  many  triumphs.  Dr.  Whitaker,  on  read- 
ing the  fifth  of  Matthew,  brake  out  saying,  Aut  hoc 
non  est  evangelium,  aut  nos  non  sumus  evangelici, 
*  Either  this  is  not  the  gospel,  or  we  are  not  of  the 
gospel.'  The  cruelty  of  the  Spaniards  to  the  In- 
dians made  them  refuse  Christian  baptism  ;  'For,' 
said  they,  'he  must  be  a  wicked  God,  who  has  such 
wicked  servants.*  O  that  God's  jewels  did  but 
sparkle  more  in  this  benighted  world  ! 

That  was  a  glorious  encomium  given  to  Za- 
charias  and  Elizabeth :  And  they  were  both  righ- 
teous before  God,  walking  in  all  the  commandments 
and  ordinances  of  the  Lord  blameless.  God  made 
them  both  righteous,  and  then  men  saw  them  righ- 
teous. Their  religion  was  undefiled  before  God 
and  the  Father  j  and  their  lives  unspotted  from 
the  world. 

Reader,  would  you  be  righteous  in  God's  sight  ? 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  21 

then  you  must  be  righteous  in  God's  Son.  Would 
you  be  unspotted  from  the  world?  then  remember, 
you  arc  not  of  the  world.  When  the  godly  are  left 
to  fall,  then  the  envious  sinner  will  exclaim,  'There 
is  your  religion  !'  No  wonder  if  a  barbarian  gives 
the  alarm,  when  the  leprosy  is  in  an  Israelitish 
house. 

6.  Another  reason  why  believers  should  do  more 
than  others,  is.  Because  if  they  do  no  more,  it  will 
appear  that  they  are  no  more  than  others. 

As  there  is  no  man  so  vicious,  but  some  relative 
good  may  be  performed  by  him  to  man  j  so  there 
is  no  one  so  religious,  but  some  evil  may  be  com- 
mitted by  him  against  God.  As  one  sw  allow  does 
not  prove  the  approach  of  summer,  neither  does 
one  good  action  prove  a  man  a  believer.  There  is 
in  every  being  a  natural  tendency  to  some  centre. 
God  is  the  centre  of  the  saints,  and  glory  is  the 
centre  of  grace.  Now  where  we  do  not  discover 
that  bias,  w^e  may  deny  the  being. 

Reader,  would  you  be  thought  more  than  publi- 
cans and  sinners  ?  then  beware  of  living  as  publi- 
cans and  sinners.  Jesus  Christ  gives  you  an  ex- 
cellent mirror  in  his  memorable  sermon  upon  the 
mount,  for  you  to  behold  your  own  likeness  in  : 
Ye  shall  know  them  by  their  fruits.  There  is  no 
ascertaining  the  quality  of  a  tree,  but  by  its  fruits. 
When  the  wheels  of  a  clock  move  within,  the  hand 
on  the  dial  will  move  without.  When  the  heart 
of  a  man  is  sound  in  conversion,  then  the  life  will 
be  fair  in  profession.  When  the  conduit  is  walled 
in,  how  shall  we  judge  of  the  spring,  but  by  the 
waters  which  run  through  the  pipes  ? 


22  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

As  a  sinner  will  discover  the  good  he  wants  •  so 
a  saint  will  shew  the  good  he  enjoys.  When  the 
sun  dawns  upon  the  earth,  it  is  presently  known  ; 
and  when  the  Sun  of  righteousness  arises  upon  the 
heart,  it  cannot  be  hid.  It  is  said  of  the  Saviour, 
that  he  could  not  he  hid.  As  it  is  with  the  head, 
so  it  is  with  the  members.  Ye  are  the  light  of  the 
world.  Let  your  light  so  shine  among  men,  that 
they  may  see  your  good  works. 

When  Saul  was  made  a  sovereign,  he  had  an- 
other spirit  poured  out  upon  him  3  a  spirit  of  go- 
vernment, for  a  place  of  government :  and  when 
a  sinner  is  made  a  saint,  he  has  also  another  spirit 
poured  out  upon  him.  As  he  is  what  he  was  not, 
so  he  does  what  he  did  not. 

It  is  reported  of  an  harlot,  that  when  she  saw  a 
certain  person  with  whom  she  had  committed  folly, 
she  renewed  her  enticements  j  to  whom  he  replied, 
*I  am  not  now  what  I  once  was.'  Though  she 
was  the  same  woman  that  she  was  before  j  yet  he 
was  not  the  same  man  he  was  before. 

Were  the  sun  to  give  no  more  light  than  a  star, 
you  could  not  believe  he  was  the  regent  of  the  day  j 
were  he  to  transmit  no  more  heat  than  a  glow- 
worm, you  would  question  his  being  the  source  of 
elementaiy  heat.  Were  God  to  do  no  more  than  a 
creature,  where  would  his  Godhead  be  ?  Were  a 
man  to  do  no  more  than  a  brute,  where  would  his 
manhood  be  ?  Were  not  a  saint  to  excel  a  sinner, 
where  would  his  sanctity  be  ? 

Professor,  if  you  live  and  walk  as  a  worldling, 
you  subject  yourself  to  that  apostolic  rebuke.  Are 
ye  not  carnal,  and  walk  as  men  ?    If  men  debase 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  23 

themselves  as  beasts,  the  Lord  will  nominate  them 
beasts ;  and  if  Christians  walk  as  men,  God  will 
call  them  men.  There  is  no  passing  for  current 
coin  in  heaven_,  without  the  stamp  and  signature 
of  heaven. 

7.  The  disciples  of  Christ  do  more  than  others. 
Because  they  are  appointed  to  be  judges  of  others. 

If  you  consult  the  holy  scriptures,  you  will  find 
that  both  the  Father,  the  Son,  and  the  saints  are 
to  judge  the  world.  The  ordination  is  the  Fa- 
ther's, the  execution  is  the  Son's,  and  the  appro- 
bation is  the  saints'.  This  shall  no  more  derogate 
from  the  honour  of  Christ,  than  the  sessions  of  the 
justices  derogates  from  the  authority  of  the  judges. 

When  the  apostle  Paul  would  quash  the  sinful 
suits  among  the  believing  Corinthians,  he  inform- 
ed them  that  they  did  not  so  much  require  men  of 
eminence  to  terminate  their  controversy,  as  men  of 
godliness.  Do  ye  not  know  that  the  saints  shall 
judge  the  world  ?  and  if  the  world  shall  be  judged 
by  you,  are  ye  unworthy  to  judge  the  smallest  mat- 
ters ?  If  you  are  to  judge  in  causes  between  God 
and  man,  how  much  more  in  controversies  between 
man  and  man  ?  If  about  matters  that  are  eternal, 
why  not  in  affairs  that  are  temporal  r 

Felons  may  be  jovial  in  the  prison,  and  bold  at 
the  bar  j  but  they  will  tremble  at  the  tree.  When 
wicked  men  come  like  miserable  captives  out  of 
their  holes,  the  godly  shall  rise  like  an  unclouded 
sun  above  the  horizon  of  the  grave. 

There  is  a  cloud  of  witnesses  to  prove  the  Chris- 
tian's judicial  process  : — Enoch,  the  seventh  from 
Adam,  prophesied  of  these,  saying.  Behold  the 


24 


THE   NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 


Lord  cometh  with  ten  thousand  of  his  saints,  to  ex- 
ecute judgement  upon  all.  Again  he  saith,  When 
the  Son  of  man  shall  sit  in  the  throne  of  his  glory, 
ye  also  shall  sit  upon  twelve  thrones,  judging  the 
twelve  tribes  of  Israel.  Now  the  world  judges  the 
godly,  but  then  the  godly  shall  judge  the  world. 
The  act  of  the  head  is  imputed  to  the  members,  and 
the  act  of  the  members  is  acknowledged  by  the 
head. 

Reader,  in  the  great  day  there  will  be  no  distinc- 
tion made  between  him  who  now  sitteth  on  the 
bench,  and  him  who  standeth  at  the  bar.  Tell  me, 
how  will  you  be  capable  of  passing  a  righteous  sen- 
tence on  others,  for  those  evils  which  you  have 
lived  in  the  constant  commission  of?  The  true 
Christian  can  cordially  subscribe  to  that  ancient 
maxim,  '  Because  I  enjoy  the  greatest  share  of  re- 
ligious majesty,  I  am  therefore  in  titled  to  the  least 
share  of  licentious  liberty.'  It  was  once  said  to 
Caesar,  '  Seeing  all  things  are  lawful  to  Caesar, 
therefore  it  is  the  less  lawful  for  Caesar  to  do  them.' 

By  faith,  Noah,  being  warned  of  God,  prepared 
an  ark, — by  which  he  condemned  the  world.  Noah's 
believing  set  him  to  prosecute  his  building.  Thus 
the  sanctified  Christian  judges  the  world  both  by 
his  faith  and  his  practice. 

Christian  reader,  remember,  that  the  gospel  pu- 
rity of  your  life  shows  to  worldlings  the  impurity 
of  their's.  The  usual  prejudice  which  the  world 
has  against  religion,  is,  that  it  makes  no  man  bet- 
ter, though  it  may  make  some  men  stricter. 

We  too  frequently  behold  that  those  who  ex- 
claim against  the  pride  of  others,  are  as  proud  as 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  25 

Others.  As  they  so  constantly  meet  together,  they 
lire  expected  to  be  more  godly  3  but  they  are  not 
more  ^odly  for  their  meeting  together.  Take 
away  their  profession,  and  yon  take  away  their 
reh'gion.  They  have  nothing  belonging  to  the 
sheep,  but  its  skin. 

Mark,  how  the  God  of  Israel  expostulates  with 
the  professing  Israel  of  God  :  Hath  a  nation  chang- 
ed their  Gods  ?  which  are  yet  no  gods ;  but  my  peo- 
ple have  changed  their  glory  for  that  which  doth 
not  pro/it.  Here  is  a  professing  people  out-done 
by  a  people  who  made  no  profession.  If  heathens 
take  up  their  gods,  they  will  zealously  keep  up  their 
gods.  They  were  true  to  the  false  gods,  while 
Israel  was  false  to  the  true  God. 

Hear,  O  heavens,  and  be  astonished,  0  earth ! 
Why,  what  is  the  matter?  The  ox  knoweth  his 
owner,  and  the  ass  his  master  s  crib ;  but  Israel  doth 
not  know,  my  people  doth  not  consider,  God  does 
not  call  in  a  jury  of  angels  to  condemn  them  j  but 
he  empannels  a  jury  of  oxen  and  asses  to  pass  sen- 
tence upon  them.  Alas,  that  oxen  and  asses  should 
be  more  religious  than  men  who  professed  religion ! 
In  their  kind  they  are  more  kind.  If  their  own- 
ers feed  them,  they  readily  own  their  owners. 

8.  And,  lastly,  the  disciples  of  Christ  do  more 
than  others.  Because  they  expect  more  than  others. 

A  true  hope  of  heaven  excites  an  utter  dislike 
to  the  earth.  And  every  man  that  hath  this  hope 
in  him,  purifies  himself,  even  as  he  is  pure.  Hope 
is  too  pure  a  plant  to  flourish  or  grow  in  an  im- 
pure soil. 

Reader,  you  must  not  look  to  toil  for  the  priace 

D 


26  THE  NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

of  darkness  all  the  long  day  of  your  life  •  and  then 
sup  with  the  Prince  of  light  at  the  evening  of 
death.  There  is  no  going  from  Delilah's  lap  to 
Abraham's  bosom.  It  is  not  the  tyrannic  reign  of 
sin  in  your  mortal  body,  which  makes  way  for  the 
triumphant  reign  of  your  soul  in  eternal  glory. 
Grace  is  such  a  pilot,  as,  without  its  steerage,  you 
will  certainly  suffer  shipwreck  in  your  voyage  to 
everlasting  tranquillity. 

There  is  no  gaining  admittance  into  the  King  of 
heaven's  privy  chamber  of  felicity,  without  pass- 
ing through  the  strait  gate  of  purity.  Blessed  are 
the  pure  in  heart,  for  they  shall  see  God,  A  dusty 
glass  will  not  distinctly  represent  the  face.  To 
look  for  a  Turkish  paradise,  is  to  conceive  of  the 
heaven  of  purity,  as  a  house  of  impurity  5  but  while 
they  expect  to  bathe  themselves  in  carnal  plea- 
sures, you  should  look  to  be  the  chaste  and  happy 
consort  of  the  Lamb. 

The  Lord's  gratuitous  bestowinents  on  saints 
awaken  the  grateful  sentiments  of  saints.  Giving 
thanks  to  the  Father,  who  hath  made  us  meet  to  be 
partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the  saints  in  light. 
— Men  commonly  season  the  vessel  with  water, 
before  they  trust  it  with  costly  wine.  Thus  God 
will  season  the  vessel  of  your  heart  with  his  gi*ace, 
before  he  pours  into  it  the  wine  of  his  glory.  It 
is  hard  to  say,  whether  God  discovers  more  love  in 
preparing  heavenly  mansions  for  the  soul,  than  in 
preparing  the  soul  for  heavenly  mansions. 

Reader,  if  the  Lord  has  made  you  a  ti-ue  believ- 
er^  you  earnestly  desire  that  your  present  deport- 
ment may  be  suitable  to  your  future  preferment. 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR-  27 

You  know  there  is  no  living  a  vicious  life,  and 
dying  a  righteous  death.  As  divine  justice  crushes 
none  on  earth  before  they  are  corrupted,  so  divine 
mercy  crowns  none  in  heaven  before  they  are 
converted. 

Holiness  and  happiness  are  so  wisely  joined  to- 
gether, that  God  will  never  suffer  them  to  be  put 
asunder :  Follow  peace  with  all  men,  and  holiness, 
without  which  no  man  shall  see  the  Lord.  Though 
holiness  be  that  which  a  sinner  scorns ;  yet  it  is 
that  which  a  Saviour  crowns. 

The  soul  of  man  is  the  Lord's  casket,  and  grace 
the  jewel :  now,  wherever  the  jewel  is  not  found, 
the  casket  will  be  thrown  away.  Though  the 
wheat  be  for  a  garner  j  yet  the  chaff  is  for  the  fire. 
The  scripture  presents  you  not  only  with  an  ac- 
count of  what  God  will  do  for  a  Christian  ■  but 
also  what  a  Christian  will  do  for  God. 

The  high  prize  of  heavenly  bliss  is  at  the  end  of 
the  gospel  race  :  So  run  that  you  may  obtain.  To 
neglect  the  race  of  holiness,  is  to  reject  the  prize  of 
happiness.  He  that  made  you  without  your  as- 
sistance, will  not  crown  you  till  he  has  saved  you 
from  your  disobedience. 

It  would  be  well  for  fruitless  sinners,  were  they 
seriously  to  consider  that  fearful  scripture  :  Every 
tree  that  hringeth  not  forth  good  fruit,  is  hewn  down 
and  cast  into  the  fire.  If  you  be  not  fruit-bear- 
ing plants,  you  must  be  burning  brands.  There 
is  no  making  out  your  salvation,  where  there  is  no 
working  out  your  salvation.  Men  are  condemned, 
not  only  for  their  profaneness,  but  also  for  their 
slothfulness.     Men  may  perish  for  being  unpro- 


28  THE  NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

fitable  servants,  as  well  as  for  being  abominable 
servants. 

The  Lord  binds  none  in  the  bundle  of  life,  but 
such  as  are  heirs  of  life.  Therefore,  my  beloved 
brethren,  be  ye  stedfast,  unmoveable,  always  abound- 
ing in  the  work  of  the  Lord,  for  as  much  as  ye  know 
that  your  labour  is  not  in  vain  in  the  Lord.  How 
cheerfully  should  those  cast  in  their  net,  who  are 
sure  to  inclose  so  excellent  a  draught  of  fishes ! 

Reader,  why  do  you  expect  more  than  others  in 
heaven,  if  grace  has  not  made  you  more  than  others 
on  earth  ?  If  you  love  them  that  love  you,  what  re- 
ward have  you  ?  It  is  but  natural  that  love  should 
be  returned  to  those  from  whom  it  has  been  re- 
ceived. Now  natural  works  shall  have  only  natu- 
ral wages.  If  you  would  not  have  God  put  you  oiF 
with  a  Pharisee's  portion,  how  can  you  put  him  oft' 
with  a  Pharisee's  performance  ? 

The  Lord  hangs  the  bait  of  duty  upon  the  hook 
of  mercy.  He  sets  the  promises  of  the  gospel  in 
the  galleries  of  his  ordinances.  The  hardy  soldier 
will  undergo  a  bloody  seed  time,  to  enjoy  a  happy 
harvest.  He  has  nothing  more  than  earthly  mam- 
mon in  his  pursuit  j  but  the  saint  has  nothing  less 
than  heavenly  mansions  in  his  pursuit. 

Thus  have  I  dispatched  the  first  general  head ; 
namely.  Why  the  disciples  of  Christ  do  more  than 
others.  I  therefore  come  secondly  to  consider, 
TVliat  the  disciples  of  Christ  do  more  than  others. 
— And  here  I  shall  form  a  golden  chain  of  twenty 
links,  for  believers  to  wear  about  their  necks. 

Thefrst  singular  action  of  sanctified  Christians, 
is.  To  do  much  good,  and  make  but  little  noise. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  29 

Some  people  say  much,  and  do  nothing  •  but 
Christians  do  much_,  and  say  nothing.  To  deserve 
praise  where  none  is  obtained,  is  better  than  to 
obtain  it  where  none  is  deserved.  The  old  max- 
im is  worthy  to  be  revived  3  he  that  desires  hon- 
our, is  not  worthy  of  honour. 

Take  heed  that  you  do  not  your  alms  before  men, 
to  be  seen  of  men ;  otherwise  you  have  no  reward  of 
your  Father  which  is  in  heaven,  A  saint  may  be 
seen  doing  more  works  than  any  •  and  yet  he  does 
not  desire  to  do  any  of  the  works,  to  be  seen.  An 
alms  which  is  seen,  is  by  no  means  unpleasant  to 
God,  provided  it  be  not  given  with  a  design  to 
have  it  seen.  Though  good  ends  make  not  bad 
actions  lawful  3  yet  bad  ends  make  good  actions 
sinful. — The  harp  sounds  sweetly  5  yet  it  hears 
not  its  own  melody.  Moses  had  more  glory  by 
his  veil  than  he  had  by  his  face.  It  is  truly 
pleasant  to  behold  those  living  in  the  dust  of  hu- 
miUty,  who  have  raised  others  from  the  dust  by 
their  liberality. 

That  ancient  caution  of  our  Saviour  is  very  suit- 
able to  modern  times  :  Therefore,  when  thou  dost 
thine  alms,  do  not  sound  a  trumpet  before  thee  as 
the  hypocrites  do  in  the  synagogues,  and  in  the 
street,  that  they  may  have  glory  from  men.  What 
the  first  verse  calls  doing  to  be  seen  of  men,  this 
calls  doing  to  receive  glory  from  men. 

Hypocrites  would  never  be  anxious  for  men  to 
see  them ;  but  that  by  seeing  them,  men  should 
praise  them.  The  indigent  are  more  indebted  to 
their  vanity  than  their  charity.  They  give  alms, 
not  so  much  for  the  poor  to  live  upon,  as  for  the 
d3 


30  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

rich  to  look  upon.  This  is  employing  the  master's 
coin  for  the  servants'  gain.  Hypocrites  are  more 
zealous  for  the  market,  than  for  the  closet.  They 
can  pray  better  in  the  corners  of  the  streets,  than 
in  the  corners  of  their  houses. 

It  is  both  meat  and  drink  to  a  formalist  to  fast, 
if  others  do  but  see  it.  It  is  reported,  that  the 
nightingale  never  sings  so  sweetly,  as  vrhen  others 
stand  by  to  hear  its  melody.  Cmne,  see  my  zeal 
for  the  Lord  of  hosts ;  when  there  was  no  zeal  for 
the  Lord  of  hosts  to  be  seen.  Jehu  only  made 
religion  a  stirrup,  to  mount  upon  the  saddle  of  po- 
pularity.— Sounding  souls  are  seldom  souls  that  are 
sound.  The  vote  of  a  Jehu  is  always  linked  to 
the  heart  of  a  Judas.  Some  persons  are  like  hens, 
which  no  sooner  drop  their  eggs,  than  they  begin 
to  chatter.  If  such  bestow  a  little  money  on  a 
church's  repairs,  it  must  be  recorded  upon  glazed 
windows. 

How  frequently  do  the  enemies  of  grace  lurk 
under  the  praises  of  nature  !  While  an  hypocrite 
is  extolled,  grace  is  injured.  By  how  much  we 
arrogate  to  ourselves,  we  derogate  from  God's  hon- 
our. Vain-glory  is  like  Naamans  leprosy ;  a  foul 
spot  upon  a  fair  paper.  What  are  the  acclama- 
tions of  man,  to  the  approbation  of  God?  Of 
what  real  advantage  is  it  to  be  cried  up  on  earth 
by  those  about  us,  and  cried  down  in  heaven  by 
him  who  is  above  us?  One  flaw  in  a  diamond 
diminishes  both  its  splendour  and  value.  Where 
self  is  the  end  of  our  actions,  there  Satan  is  the 
rewarder  of  them. 

When  thou  dost  thine  alms,  let  not  thy  left  hand 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  31 

know  what  thy  right  hand  cloth.  Acts  of  mercy 
are  right-hand  acts ;  but  the  left  hand  must  not 
know  them,  because  it  will  make  them  known. 
It  is  a  singular  thing  for  Christians  to  do  much 
in  secret,  and  to  keep  it  secret  when  it  is  done. 
God  is  nearer  to  us  than  we  are  to  ourselves.  We 
need  not  sound  a  trumpet  for  any  thing  that  is  be- 
stowed :  for  when  the  great  trumpet  shall  sound, 
every  work  shall  be  revealed. 

Where  the  river  is  the  deepest,  the  water  glides 
the  smoothest.  Empty  casks  sound  most  j  where- 
as the  well-fraught  vessel  silences  its  own  sound. 
As  the  shadow  of  the  sun  is  largest  when  his  beams 
are  lowest  j  so  we  are  always  least,  when  we  make 
ourselves  the  greatest.  Wicked  Saul  would  rather 
resign  his  crown  than  his  honour.  Honour  me  he- 
fore  the  people.  There  is  little  worth  in  outward 
splendour,  if  grace  yield  it  not  an  inward  lustre. 

When  the  sun  of  worldly  grandeur  is  in  its  me- 
ridian, it  may  be  masked  with  a  cloud.  By  climb- 
ing too  high  on  the  bough  of  honour,  you  may  hang 
yourselves  on  the  tree  of  dishonour.  Some  would 
rather  suffer  the  o.gony  of  the  cross,  than  the  infa- 
my  of  the  cross.  It  is  worse,  in  their  esteem,  to 
be  dispraised,  than  it  is  to  be  destroyed.  Thus 
Abimeleck  the  fratricide  conceived  of  it.  'A  cer- 
tain woman  cast  a  piece  of  mill-stone  upon  Abim- 
eleck's  head,  and  broke  his  scull ;  then  he  called 
hastily  to  the  young  man,  his  armour  bearer,  and 
said  unto  him.  Draw  thy  sword  and  slay  me,  that 
men  may  not  say,  a  woman  slew  me.'  Poor  man, 
he  dies,  but  his  pride  does  not  die ! 

How  frequently  does  God  reject  those  as  repro- 


32  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

bate  silver,  whom  men  esteem  as  fine  gold !  He 
is  a  Jew,  who  is  one  inwardly  ;  and  circumcision  is 
that  of  the  hearty  in  the  spirit,  whose  praise  is  not 
of  many  but  of  God.  The  praise  of  an  hypocrite 
is  not  of  God,  but  of  man ;  the  praise  of  an  Isra- 
elite is  not  of  man,  but  of  God.  The  former  de- 
sires to  seem  good,  that  he  may  be  admired  3  the 
latter  to  be  good,  that  God  may  be  honoured. 
The  self-abased  saint  on  earth  imitates  the  angels 
in  heaven  j  while  the  self- admired  sinner  on  earth 
imitates  the  fallen  angels  in  hell. 

The  cherubims  in  Ezekiel's  \dsion  had  the  hands 
of  a  man  under  their  wings.  They  had  not  their 
wings  under  their  hands  3  but  their  hands  under 
their  wings.  Their  hands  denoted  skill,  their 
wings  celerity  3  and  their  hands  under  their  wings, 
the  secresy  of  their  actions.  They  would  not  have 
others  fall  down  and  worship  them,  who  were  only 
round  the  throne  5  but  they  fell  down  themselves 
to  worship  him  who  is  upon  the  throne. 

It  was  foretold  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  who 
did  the  most  excellent  works  that  ever  were  done, 
that  he  should  not  cry,  nor  lift  up,  nor  cause  his 
voice  to  he  heard  in  the  streets.  He  should  not 
cry ;  that  is,  he  should  not  be  contentious :  he 
should  not  lift  up  his  voice  in  the  streets  ^  that  is, 
he  should  not  be  vain-glorious. 

How  repugnant  to  this  was  the  conduct  of  the 
boasting  pharisee !  The  pharisee  stood,  and  pray- 
ed with  himself:  Godj  I  thank  thee  that  I  am  not 
as  other  men  are  ^  extortioners,  unjust,  adulterers, 
or  even  as  this  publican.  Hypocrites  are  better  in 
setting  forth  their  own  worth,  than  their  own 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  33 

wants ;  in  displaying  the  banners  of  their  perfec- 
tions, than  in  discovering  the  heinousness  of  their 
own  transgressions.  I  am  not  as  other  men  are ! 
As  if  he  had  been  such  a  fellow,  as  had  had  no  fel- 
low. Because  he  was  not  so  bad  as  most,  he 
thought  himself  as  good  as  the  best.  Ambition 
is  so  great  a  planet,  that  it  must  have  a  whole  or- 
bit to  move  in  •  and  is  envious  at  its  equals. 

A  sun-burnt  face  seems  fair,  compared  with  an 
Ethiopian  ;  but  cyphers  can  never  constitute  a 
sum.  This  pharisee  was  as  far  from  being  religi- 
ous, as  he  was  from  being  scandalous.  But  upon 
what  foundation  did  he  rear  his  superstructure? 
I  fast  twice  a  week,  I  give  tithes  of  all  I  possess. 
He  proclaims  out  of  doors,  all  which  was  done 
within.  He  forgot  that  he  was  like  the  sea,  which 
loses  as  much  on  one  shore  as  it  gains  on  another. 
He  hid  his  sins,  which  he  should  have  confessed ; 
and  published  his  good  deeds,  which  he  should 
have  concealed. 

What  \actory  a  formalist  seemingly  obtains  over 
one  lust,  he  loses  by  being  overcome  of  another. 
He  trades  not  for  God's  glory,  but  for  his  own. 
If  a  tear  be  shed,  or  a  prayer  be  made,  as  it  is 
perfonned  by  him,  so  it  is  divulged  by  him.  He 
who  trafficks  in  God's  service,  to  freight  himself 
with  man's  praises,  shall  suffer  shipwreck  in  the 
haven. 

It  is  reported  of  Alexander's  footman,  that  he 
ran  so  swift  upon  the  sand,  that  the  prints  of  his 
footsteps  were  not  to  be  seen.  Thus  may  it  be 
witb  Christians.  Nothing  is  more  pleasing  to 
God,  than  a  hand  liberally  opened,  and  a  tongue 
strictly  silent. 


34  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Most  persons  are  like  Themistocles,  who  never 
found  himself  so  much  contented,  as  when  he 
heard  himself  praised.  I  will  not  say  a  gracious 
heart  never  lifts  up  itself  j  but  I  will  say,  that 
grace  in  the  heart  never  lifts  it  up.  Grace  in  the 
heart  constantly  acts  like  itself  j  but  a  gracious 
heart  does  not  always  do  so. 

Saints  should  resemble  a  spire  steeple ;  which 
is  minimus  in  summo,  smallest  where  it  is  highest : 
or  those  orient  stars,  which  the  higher  they  are 
seated  the  less  they  are  viewed.  Usually,  the 
greatest  boasters  are  the  smallest  workers.  The 
deep  rivers  pay  a  larger  tribute  to  the  sea  than 
shallow  brooks,  and  yet  empty  themselves  with 
less  noise.  I  have  read  of  an  harlot,  who  ofifered 
to  rebuild  the  walls  of  a  city,  which  Alexander 
had  demolished,  so  that  she  might  but  set  her  own 
arms  upon  them.  What  will  not  a  hypocrite  do, 
so  he  might  but  see  his  own  signet  upon  it  when 
it  is  done ! 

2.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  brbig  up  the  bottom  of  his  life  to  the 
top  of  his  light. 

By  how  far  our  hearts  are  set  from  God's  pre- 
cepts, to  love  them  3  by  so  far  are  his  ears  set 
from  our  prayers,  to  answer  them.  David  knew 
this  when  he  said.  If  I  regard  iniguitij  in  my  heart, 
the  Lord  will  not  hear  me.  Since  the  tree  of  know- 
ledge hath  been  tasted,  the  key  of  knowledge  hath 
been  rusted.  Therefore,  the  natural  man  receiv- 
eth  not  the  things  of  the  Spirit  of  God,  for  they 
are  foolishness  to  him  ;  neither  can  he  know  them, 
because  they  are  spiritually  discerned.  Spiritual 
truths  oppose  the  wickedness  of  human  reason. 


IN   HIS   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  35 

because  tliey  are  against  it  •  therefore  it  cannot 
receive  them  :  they  also  exceed  the  weakness  of 
human  reason,  because  they  are  above  it ;  there- 
fore it  cannot  perceive  them.  It  is  better  to  be  a 
toe  in  the  foot,  and  that  be  sound,  than  to  be  an 
eye  in  the  head,  and  that  be  blind. 

There  is  a  great  propriety  in  the  exhortation  of 
St.  Peter :  But  grow  in  grace,  and  in  the  know- 
ledge of  our  Lord  and  Saviour  Jesus  Christ.  No 
knowledge  can  equal  that  of  Christ  •  no  growth 
can  equal  that  of  grace.  Without  grace,  there 
may  be  seeming  knowledge  j  but  without  grace, 
there  can  be  no  saving  knowledge. 

There  were  more  enlightened,  than  enlivened, 
in  the  days  of  Christ  3  hence  he  said.  If  ye  know 
these  things,  happy  are  ye,  if  ye  do  them.  To  obey 
the  truth,  and  not  to  know  it,  is  impossible;  to 
know  the  truth,  and  not  obey  it,  is  unprofitable. 
For,  not  every  one  that  saith  unto  me.  Lord,  Lord, 
shall  enter  into  the  kingdom  of  heaven  ;  but  he  that 
doeth  the  will  of  my  Father,  which  is  in  heaven. 
Divine  knowledge  is  not  as  the  light  of  the  moon, 
to  sleep  by ;  but  as  the  light  of  the  sun,  to  work 
by.  It  is  not  a  loiterer  in  the  market-place,  but  a 
labourer  in  the  vineyard. 

A  man  may  be  a  great  scholar,  and  yet  be  a  great 
sinner.  Judas  the  traitor  was  Judas  the  preacher. 
The  toad  that  has  a  pearl  in  its  head,  has  poison  in 
its  bowels.  The  tree  of  knowledge  has  often  been 
planted,  and  flourished,  where  the  tree  of  life  never 
grew.  A  man  may  be  acquainted  with  the  grace 
of  truth,  and  yet  not  know  the  truth  of  grace. 
Parts,  and  even  all  gifts,  without  grace  and  holi- 


36  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

ness,  are  but  like  Uriah's  letters,  which  were  the 
death-warrants  of  him  who  carried  them. 

Naked  knowledge  will  be  as  unserviceable  to 
the  soul  in  a  dying  day,  as  a  painted  fire  would 
be  to  the  frozen  body  in  a  cold  day.  As  some 
articles  are  tanned  by  the  same  sun  in  which  others 
are  whitened,  so  are  some  professors  hardened  un- 
der the  same  gospel  by  which  others  are  softened. 

I  would  never  have  that  the  brand  of  ChristianSy 
which  was  the  bane  of  heathens.  Because  when 
they  knew  God,  they  glorified  him  not  as  God.  As 
it  is  lost  labour  to  smite  the  flint,  if  it  propagate 
no  sparks ;  so  it  is  fruitless  toil  to  furnish  our  heads 
^vith  light,  if  it  refine  not  our  hearts.  Satan  may 
as  well  put  out  our  eyes,  that  we  should  not  see  the 
truth ;  as  cut  off  our  feet,  that  we  should  not  walk  in 
the  truth.  Naked  knowledge  may  make  the  head 
giddy  J  but  it  will  never  make  the  heart  holy. 

Who  would  wait  for  such  a  gale,  as  would  drive 
them  farther  from  the  desired  haven  ?  or  freight 
their  vessels  with  such  a  cargo,  as  would  ruin  the 
owner  ?  Shall  we  hold  the  candle  of  the  gospel  in 
one  hand,  and  the  sword  of  rebellion  in  the  other? 
How  many  professors  are  there,  who  have  light 
enough  to  know  what  should  be  done ;  but  have 
not  love  enough  to  do  what  they  know !  Such 
people  have  no  advantage  from  carrying  a  bright 
candle  in  a  dark  lanthorn.  Give  me  the  professor 
who  perfectly  sees  the  way  he  should  go,  and  rea- 
dily goes  the  way  he  sees. 

That  is  barren  ground,  Avhich  brings  forth  no- 
thing except  it  be  forced.  To  hhn  that  knoweth  to 
do  good,  and  doeth  it  not,  to  him  it  is  sin.     The  sins 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  37 

of  ignorance  are  most  numerous;  but  the  sins  of 
knowledge  are  most  dangerous.  That  sinner's 
darkness  will  be  the  greatest  in  hell,  whose  light 
was  the  clearest  on  earth. 

Pharnaces,  the  son  of  Mithridates  the  king  of 
PontuSj  sending  a  crown  to  Caesar,  at  the  time  he 
was  in  rebellion  against  him,  he  refused  the  pre- 
sent, saying, '  Let  him  first  lay  down  his  rebellion, 
and  then  I  will  receive  his  crown.'  There  are 
many  who  set  a  crown  of  glory  upon  the  head  of 
Christ  by  a  good  profession  3  and  yet  plat  a  crown 
of  thorns  upon  his  head  by  an  evil  conversation. 
By  the  words  of  our  mouth  we  may  aflfect  to  adore 
religion  3  but  it  is  by  the  works  of  our  lives  that 
we  adorn  religion. 

It  was  a  just  saying  of  one,  '  that  in  the  best 
reformed  churches  there  were  the  most  deformed 
professors.'     Look  to  this,  reader,  that  all  will  be 
pulled  down  without  you,  if  there  be  nothing  set 
up  within  you.     As  trees  without  fruits  are  unpro- 
fitable J    so   knowledge  without   good  works  is 
abominable.     Leah  and  Rachel  are  fit  emblems  m 
of  knowledge  and  obedience :    knowledge,  like  f 
Rachel,  is  beautiful ;  but  obedience,  like  Leah,  is  ' 
fruitful.     He  that  dislikes  to  do  what  he  knows,   ! 
will  one  day  not  know  what  to  do. 

Be  ye  wise  as  serpents,  and  harmless  as  doves. 
Wise  as  serpents,  to  guard  against  the  wolf's  ra- 
pacity; and  harmless  as  doves,  that  you  may  do 
no  man  any  injury.  Thus,  the  serpent's  eye  is  an 
ornament,  when  placed  in  the  dove's  head.  The 
lives  of  many  professors  are  awfully  unlike  their 
lights.     They  have  the  light  of  the  sun,  for  wis- 

£ 


38  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

dom ;  but  want  the  heat  of  a  candle  for  grace 
and  holiness. 

I  have  read  of  a  painter,  who  being  warmly  re- 
prehended by  a  cardinal  for  putting  too  much  red 
in  the  faces  of  St.  Paul  and  St.  Peter,  answered, 
'  It  is  to  shew  how  much  they  blush  at  the  conduct 
of  many,  who  style  themselves  their  successors.*— 
Were  Abraham,  the  father  of  the  faithful,  now  on 
earth,  how  would  he  disclaim  all  relation  to  many 
who  call  themselves  his  offspring  !  Though  there 
was  less  grace  discovered  to  the  saints  of  old ;  yet 
there  was  more  grace  discovered  by  them.  They 
knew  little,  and  did  much^  we  know  much,  and  do 
little. 

John  the  Baptist  was  a  burning  and  a  shining 
light.  To  shine  is  not  enough  j  a  glow-worm  will 
do  so :  to  burn  is  not  enough  -,  a  firebrand  will 
do  so.  Light  without  heat  does  but  little  good  ; 
and  heat  without  light  does  much  harm.  Give 
me  those  Christians  who  are  burning  lamps,  as 
well  as  shining  lights. 

The  sun  is  as  vigorous  in  his  moving,  as  he  is 
illustrious  in  his  shining.  I  know  the  light  of  na- 
ture requires  grace  to  repel  the  lusts  of  nature. — 
Will  any  say,  'The  day  of  hope  is  dawning  within 
them,  when  the  powers  of  darkness  are  ruling  over 
them  ?  How  monstrous  is  it,  to  see  a  Christian's 
tongue  larger  than  his  hand  !  To  speak  so  much 
of  God  to  others,  and  act  so  little  for  God  himself ! 

3.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  'prefer  the  duty  he  owes  to  God,  to  the 
danger  he  fears  from  man. 

Christians,  in  all  ages,  have  prized  their  services 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  39 

above  their  safety.  The  wicked  Jlee,  when  no  man 
pursucth;  but  the  righteous  are  bold  as  a  lion.  The 
fearful  hare  trembles  at  every  cry  j  but  the  coura- 
geous lion  is  unmoved  by  the  greatest  clamours. 
Were  believers  to  shrink  back  at  every  contrary 
wind  that  blows,  they  would  never  make  their 
voyage  to  heaven. 

My  righteousness  I  hold  fast,  and  will  not  let  it 
go.  Poor  Job  could  hold  nothing  fast  but  his  in- 
tegrity :  Grace  kept  his  heart,  when  he  could  not 
keep  his  gold.  Uprightness  is  so  fair  a  complex- 
ion, as  not  to  be  subject  to  any  alteration  by  the 
scorching  beams  of  persecution.  The  laurel  pre- 
serves its  verdure  amidst  the  severest  blasts  of  win- 
ter. Times  of  trouble  have  often  been  times  of 
triumph  to  a  believer.  Suffering  seasons  have  gen- 
erally been  sifting  seasons,  in  which  the  Christian 
has  lost  his  chaft^  and  the  hypocrite  his  courage. 

Dangers  have  frequently  made  the  worldling 
leave  his  duties.  The  scythe  of  persecution  cuts 
down  the  tender  grass  of  his  devotion.  Those 
who  always  refuse  to  carry  the  yoke  of  Christ  up- 
on their  necks,  will  also  refuse  to  carry  the  cross 
of  Christ  upon  their  backs.  Nothing  less  than 
the  enjoyment  of  God,  who  is  altogether  good,  can 
permanently  support  us  under  the  suffering  of  that 
which  is  evil.  The  Jiesh  is  an  enemy  to  suffering ; 
because  suffering  is  an  enemy  to  the  /iesh.  The 
fesh  may  make  a  man  an  earthly  courtier ;  but  it 
will  never  make  a  man  a  Christian  martyr. 

Wicked  men  stumble  at  every  straw  in  the  way 
to  heaven  ;  but  they  climb  over  hills  in  the  way 
to  destruction.  Hang  heavy  weights  on  rotten 
boughs,  and  tbey  will  suddenly  break.     If  sinners 


40  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOK 

take  up  religion  in  a  fair  day,  they  will  eagerly  lay 
it  down  in  a  foul  one.  The  language  of  such  is, 
'  Lord,  we  are  willing  to  serve  thee,  but  unwilling 
to  suffer  for  thee.  We  will  go  to  sea  with  thee, 
but  on  condition  we  have  no  storms.  We  have 
no  objections  to  enter  into  the  war  ■  but  upon  this 
promise,  that  we  have  no  blows.'  Such  would 
fain  be  wafted  to  the  port  of  felicity,  in  such  ves- 
sels as  would  not  be  tossed  in  the  sea  of  calamity. 
They  think  too  much  of  wearing  a  thorn,  though 
it  be  borrowed  from  Christ's  crown. 

There  are  some  who  would  sacrifice  a  stout  heart 
to  a  stubborn  will  5  and  would  rather  die  martyrs  for 
5m,  than  servants  to  truth.  How  shall  those  stand 
for  Christ,  who  never  stood  in  Christ  ?  True  believ- 
ers are  more  studious  how  to  adorn  the  cross,  than 
how  to  avoid  the  cross.  They  deem  it  better  to  be 
saved  in  troubled  water,  than  to  be  drowned  in  a 
calm  ocean. 

Temporary  professors  are  like  hedge-hogs,  which 
have  two  holes  -,  one  to  the  north,  and  another  to 
the  south :  when  the  south  wind  fans  them,  they 
turn  to  the  north  j  and  when  the  north  wind  chills 
them,  they  turn  to  the  south.  Thus  they  lose  their 
activity,  to  preserve  their  security. — That  was  a 
beggarly  saying,  which  fell  from  a  prince's  lips, — 
'  I  will  sail  no  farther  in  the  cause  of  Christ,  than 
while  I  can  preserve  my  retreat  with  safety  to  land.' 
Man  is  a  short-sighted  creature ;  he  is  afraid  to 
follow  too  far  upon  the  heels  of  truth,  lest  it  should 
lead  him  into  danger.  Weak  grace  may  do  for  God, 
but  it  must  be  strong  grace  that  will  die  for  God. 
A  true  Christian  will  lay  down  his  lusts  at  the 
command  of  Christ  j  and  his  life,  for  the  cause  of 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  41 

Christ.  The  more  a  tree  of  righteousness  is  sha- 
ken by  the  wind,  the  more  it  is  rooted  in  the 
groun(l.  What,  art  thou  a  member  of  Christ,  and 
afraid  to  be  a  martyr  for  Christ?  If  those  be 
blessed  who  die  in  Christ,  what  must  they  be  who 
die /or  Christ ! 

What,  though  the  flesh  do  return  to  dust,  so  the 
spirit  return  to  rest  ?  What  is  the  body  of  a  man 
for  a  soul  to  live  in,  compared  with  the  bosom  of 
Abraham  for  a  soul  to  lie  in?  Righteous  Abel, 
the  first  soldier  in  the  church  militant,  was  the 
first  saint  in  the  church  triumphant.  He  oft'ered 
up  a  sacrifice  when  the  altar  was  sprinkled  with 
his  own  blood.  As  his  body  was  the  first  that  ever 
took  possession  of  the  earth  •  so  his  soul  was  the 
first  that  ever  had  a  translation  to  heaven. 

Should  such  a  man  as  IJlee  ?  saith  Nehemiah  :— 
a  man  so  much  owned  and  honoured  of  God  ?  It 
is  better  to  die  a  conqueror  in  religion,  than  to  live 
a  coward  in  religion.  Those  who  are  willing  to  be 
combatants  ybr  God,  shall  also  be  more  than  con- 
querors through  God.  None  are  so  truly  courage- 
ous, as  those  who  are  truly  religious.  If  a  Christian 
live,  he  knows  by  whose  might  he  stands  j  and  if 
he  die,  he  knows  for  whose  sake  he  falls.  Where 
there  is  no  confidence  in  God,  there  will  be  no 
continuance  with  God.  When  the  wind  of  faith 
ceases  to  fill  the  sails,  the  ship  of  obedience  ceases 
to  plough  the  seas.  The  taunts  of  Ishmael  shall 
never  make  an  Isaac  disesteem  his  inheritance. 

Reader,  if  a  righteous  cause  bring  you  into 
sufferings,  a  righteous  God  will  bring  you  out  of 
sufferings.  A  Christian  is  as  much  indebted  to 
e3 


42  THE   NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

his  enemies  as  to  his  friends.  The  malicious  cru- 
cifixion of  Christ  wrought  out  the  glorious  exal- 
tation of  Christ.  The  worst  that  men  can  do 
against  believers,  is  the  best  they  can  do  for 
believers.  The  worst  they  can  do  them,  is  to 
send  them  out  of  the  earthy  and  the  best  tliey  can 
do  for  them,  is  to  send  them  into  heaven. 

That  was  a  Christian  expression  of  one  of  the 
martyrs  to  his  persecutors  :  "  You  take  a  life  from 
me  that  I  cannot  keep,  and  bestow  a  life  upon  me 
that  I  cannot  lose  j  which  is,  as  if  you  should  rob 
me  of  counters,  and  furnish  me  with  gold."  He 
that  is  assured  of  a  life  that  has  no  end,  need  not 
care  how  soon  this  life  shall  end. 

Neither  the  persecuting  hand  of  men,  nor  the 
chastising  hand  of  God,  relaxed  ancient  singular 
saints.  Jll  this  is  come  upon  us,  yet  have  we  not 
forgotten  thee,  neither  have  we  dealt  falsely  in  thy 
covenant.  Our  heart  is  not  turned  back,  neither 
have  our  steps  declined  from  thy  way ;  though  thou 
hast  sore  broken  us  in  the  place  of  dragons,  and 
covered  us  with  the  shadow  of  death.  Believers 
resemble  the  moon,  which  emerges  from  her  eclipse 
by  keeping  her  motion  3  and  ceases  not  to  shine, 
because  the  dogs  bark  at  her.  Shall  we  cease  to 
be  professors,  because  others  will  not  cease  to  be 
persecutors } 

By  the  seed  of  the  serpent  the  heel  of  the  woman 
may  be  bruised  ■  but  by  the  seed  of  the  woman  the 
head  of  the  serpent  shall  be  broken.  A  Christian 
may  enjoy  a  calm  of  inward  peace,  while  he  sus- 
tains the  storms  of  outward  trouble.  If  he  enjoy 
the  former,  he  may  expect  the  latter ;  if  he  suffer 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  43 

the  latter,  he  may  expect  the  former.  There  is 
no  spring  without  its  fall  3  no  summer  without 
its  winter. 

"  Many  waters"  (may  drown  the  world,  but) 
"  cannot  quench  love."  The  water  of  affliction 
cannot  extinguish  the  fire  of  affection.  If  the 
calling  of  religion  cannot  be  peaceably  maintain- 
ed, formalists  will  quickly  shut  up  their  windows. 
They  will  rather  tarry  out  of  the  land  of  Canaan_, 
than  swim  to  it  through  the  Red  Sea.  A  man 
will  never  sustain  trouble  for  Jesus,  till  he  find 
rest  in  Jesus. 

Adventurous  Peter  could  ciy.  Lord,  if  it  be  thou, 
hid  me  come  to  thee  on  the  water.  Love  to  Christ 
can  walk  on  the  water  without  drowning,  and  lie 
in  the  fire  without  burning.  It  is  said  of  the  ser- 
pent, "  That  it  cares  not  to  what  danger  it  exposes 
its  body,  so  it  can  but  secure  its  head."  Thus  a 
Christian  cares  not  to  what  danger  he  is  liable,  so 
Jesus  is  but  honoured  thereby. 

Paul,  who  turned  the  world  upside-down,  could 
not  be  turned  upside-down  by  the  world.  None 
of  these  things  move  me,  neither  count  I  my  life  dear 
unto  myself;  so  that  I  might  finish  my  course  with 
joy.  A  saint  is  inwardly  pious,  when  he  is  not  out- 
wardly prosperous.  The  sharper  the  medicine  is, 
the  sounder  the  patient  is  for  its  operation.  The 
higher  the  flood  swells  on  earth,  the  nearer  the  ark 
mounts  to  heaven. 

God  can  strike  straight  strokes  with  crooked 
sticks ;  and  make  Satan's  dross  burnish  his  choice 
vessels.  Christians  are  crucified  hy  the  world,  that 
they  might  be  crucified  to  the  world.     God  makes 


44  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

it  their  enemy,  that  he  might  make  them  enemies 
to  it.  Religion  is  that  phoenix,  which  has  always 
flourished  in  its  own  ashes.  While  magistrates  de- 
fend the  truth  with  their  sword,  martyrs  defend  it 
with  their  blood.  The  loss  of  their  heads  hastens 
the  reception  of  their  crowns. 

We  should  never  land  in  triumph  at  the  haven  of 
rest,  if  we  were  not  tossed  upon  the  sea  of  trouble. 
If  Joseph  had  not  been  Egypt's  prisoner,  he  had 
never  been  Egypt's  governor.  The  iron  chains 
about  his  feet  ushered  in  the  golden  chains  about 
his  neck.  Temporal  losses  are  only  gentle  breezes  3 
but  eternal  losses  are  insupportable  storms. 

Reader,  tell  me,  is  not  Christ,  with  his  cross, 
for  a  few  years,  better  than  Dives,  with  his  dain- 
ties, for  a  few  days  ?  What  comparison  is  there 
between  the  short-lived  happiness  of  the  wicked, 
attended  with  everlasting  misery  j  and  the  short- 
lived misery  of  the  righteous,  attended  with  ever- 
lasting happiness  ? 

4.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  seek  the  public  good  of  others  above  the 
private  good  of  himself. 

The  sentiment  of  Plato,  an  heathen,  is  worthy 
to  be  adopted  by  every  Christian :  "  I  was  not  born 
for  myself  alone ;  for  my  country  claims  a  part, 
my  relations  claim  a  part,  and  my  friends  claim  a 
part  in  me."  As  we  are  not  born  by  ourselves,  so 
we  are  not  born /or  ourselves. 

Baruch,  the  man  of  God,  was  forbid  to  make  self 
the  centre  of  his  wishes  :  Seekest  thou  great  things 
for  thyself?  seek  them  not.  For  saints  to  set  their 
hearts  upon  that  whereon  beasts  set  their  feet,  is 


IX  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  45 

as  if  a  king  should  abdicate  his  throne,  to  follow 
the  plough  5  or,  as  if  a  man  should  desert  a  golden 
mine,  to  dig  in  a  pit  of  gravel.  When  we  search 
ourselves,  it  denotes  that  we  are  virtuous ;  but  when 
we  seek  ourselves,  it  denotes  that  we  are  covetous. 

I  am  unwilling  to  draw  a  defective  feature  in 
any  man's  picture ;  yet  how  many  are  there,  who 
have  occupied  public  places  with  private  spirits ! 
While  they  pretended  to  undertake  every  thing  for 
the  good  of  others  j  it  has  appeared,  that  they  un- 
dertook nothing,  but  for  the  good  of  themselves. 
Such  suckers  at  the  roots  have  drawn  away  the  sap 
and  nourishment  from  the  tree.  They  have  set 
kingdoms  on  fire,  that  they  might  roast  their  own 
venison  at  the  flames.  These  drones  stealing  into 
the  hive,  have  fed  upon  the  honey  j  while  the 
labouring  bees  have  been  famished. 

Too  many  resemble  ravenous  birds,  which  at 
first  seem  to  bewail  the  dying  sheep ;  but  at  last, 
are  found  picking  out  their  eyes.  These  people 
never  want  fire,  so  long  as  any  yard  affords  fuel. 
They  enrich  their  own  side-board  with  other 
men's  plate. 

There  is  a  proverb,  but  none  of  Solomon's, 
'  Every  man  for  himself,  and  God  for  us  all.'  But 
where  every  man  is  for  himself,  the  devil  will 
have  all.  Whosoever  is  a  seeker  of  himself,  is 
not  found  of  God.  Though  he  may  find  himself 
in  this  life,  he  will  lose  himself  in  death. 

The  public  spirit  of  Seneca  is  a  sharp  censure 
to  many  private-spirited  Christians :  '  I  would  so 
live,'  said  he,  'as  if  I  knew  I  received  my  being 
only  for  the  benefit  of  others.' 


46  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

How  justly  might  that  complaint  be  taken  up, 
which  was  so  sadly  laid  down  by  Paul :  For  all 
men  seek  their  own,  not  the  things  that  are  Jesus 
Chris  fs  !  If  some  heathens  excel  Christians,  it  is 
not  because  Christianity  does  not  surpass  heathen- 
ism. A  selfish  man  will  not  sow  his  seed,  except 
he  reap  the  whole  harvest  -  nor  plant  the  vines, 
except  he  press  all  the  grapes  into  his  own  vessel. 
The  wheel  of  his  diligence  will  not  move,  except 
the  oil  of  profit  be  in  it.  It  may  be  said  to  many, 
as  a  great  personage  once  said  to  his  servant} 
'  Your  rise,  has  been  my  fall.' 

If  Dives  be  tormented  because  he  refused  to  im- 
part his  own  •  what  shall  their  torment  be,  who 
avidiously  take  that  which  is  another's  !  If  those 
fingers  be  cut  off  which  so  closely  clap  their  own 
property  3  what  will  become  of  those  hands,  which 
are  always  open  to  grasp  at  other  men's ! 

It  was  Israel's  lamentation.  That  those  who  were 
once  clad  in  scarlet,  embraced  the  dunghill.  It 
may  now  be  England's  lamentation.  That  many 
who  once  embraced  the  dunghill,  are  now,  by  in- 
justice, clothed  in  scarlet.  Eveiy  man's  private 
interest  is  best  secured  in  the  public  good.  A  drop 
of  water  will  soon  be  dried  up  if  alone ;  but,  in 
the  ocean,  it  will  retain  its  moisture.  A  single 
beam  of  light  is  suddenly  obscured  j  but  in  the 
body  of  the  sun,  it  retains  its  splendour. 

Too  many,  in  all  ages,  have  turned  a  common 
weal  into  a  common  woe.  They  have  spun  them- 
selves superfine  suits,  out  of  the  nation's  fleece. 
Many  noble  birds  have  been  deplumed,  that  their 
wings   might  be   richly  feathered.      When  any 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  47 

Springs  have  been  opened,  they  have  laid  pipes  to 
convey  the  water  into  their  o^vn  cisterns.  Such 
pretended  pilots  have  steered  the  ship  of  plenty 
into  their  own  haven  3  but  justice  will  certainly 
squeeze  such  spunges,  and  leave  them  as  dry  at  last 
as  they  were  at  first.  All  those  moths  shall  be 
destroyed,  which  eat  into  other  men's  garments. 

For  a  man  to  advance  his  interest  out  of  another's 
property,  is  to  keep  all  the  meat  in  his  mouth,  and 
starve  all  the  body  beside.  Naturally  every  man  is 
his  own  Alpha  and  his  own  Omega.  He  has  his 
beginning /rowi  himself,  and  his  ending  in  himself. 

That  was  a  morose  speech  of  Cain  to  the  Al- 
mighty J  /Im  I  my  brother  s  keeper  ?  He  thought 
it  was  not  his  duty  to  be  his  brother's  keeper,  but 
did  not  consider  that  it  was  against  his  duty  to  be 
his  brother's  assassin.  There  are  many  who  will 
not  be  their  brother's  keepers,  and  yet  will  be  their 
butchers.  They  have  riveted  themselves  to  their 
possessions  by  the  bones  of  their  murdered  bre- 
thren ;  and  paved  causeways  to  honour  with  the 
sculls  of  hone;st  men. 

Self-seeking  has  been  so  long  pulling  the  ropes, 
that  it  has  rung  the  passing-bell  of  many  nations. 
It  is  sad  to  see  the  house  in  flames,  while  the  cham- 
ber is  being  furnished  3  the  ship  sinking,  while 
the  cabin  is  filling ;  or  the  tree  falling,  while  the 
nest  is  a  building.  But  better  fruit  cannot  grow 
upon  the  trees  of  cruelty,  than  wantonness  and 
oppression.  God  will  compel  them  to  drink  the 
\dregs  of  that  cup,  which  they  have  so  unjustly 
mingled  for  others. 

Queen  Esther  was  a  singular  saint  3  for  she  pre- 


48  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

ferred  the  public  to  her  private  good.  If  I  perish, 
I  perish.  For  how  can  I  endure  to  see  the  evil  which 
shall  come  upon  my  people  ?  This  Israelitess  was 
not  more  comely  in  appearance  than  benevolent 
in  her  disposition.  She  did  not  prefer  her  own 
life  to  her  people's,  but  her  people's  to  her  own. 

When  Theodosius  lay  on  his  dying  pillow,  he 
was  more  studious  how  to  do  his  kingdom  good, 
than  how  to  sustain  his  torturing  pains  j  as  appears 
by  his  counsel  to  his  sons,  to  whom  he  left  it.  '  I 
counsel  you  to  be  deeply  concerned  for  the  pro- 
motion of  religion,  and  the  good  of  man  ;  for  by 
this  (said  he)  peace  will  be  preserved,  and  wars 
no  more  known.' 

Though  the  eagle  be  the  queen  of  birds,  as  the 
lion  is  the  king  of  beasts  ;  yet  she  was  not  offered 
up  in  sacrifice,  because  she  lived  upon  the  spoil  of 
others.  Grace  teaches  a  Christian  not  only  to  act 
like  a  man  to  God,  but  also  like  a  God  to  man. 

Our  Lord  Jesus  Christ  pleased  not  himself  j  that 
thereby,  he  might  eternally  profit  us.  ¥or  ye 
know  the  grace  of  our  Lord  Jesus  Christ,  that 
though  he  was  rich,  yet  for  our  sakes  he  became 
poor;  that  ye  through  his  poverty  might  be  rich. 
A  drop  of  his  blood  is  worth  more  than  a  sea  of 
ours ',  and  yet  he  died  our  death,  that  we  might 
live  his  life ;  and  suffered  our  hell,  to  bring  us 
to  his  heaven.  He  lay  in  the  feeble  arms  of  his 
mother,  that  we  might  lie  in  the  tender  bosom  of 
his  Father.  His  love  began  in  his  eternal  pur- 
poses of  grace  3  and  ends  in  our  eternal  possession 
of  glory. 

Why  was  the  bread  of  life  an  hungred,  but  to  feed 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  49 

the  hungry  with  the  bread  of  life  ?  Why  was  rest 
itself  weary,  but  to  give  the  weary  rest?  Why 
did  he  bang  upon  the  cross  on  Mount  Calvary, 
but  that  we  might  sit  upon  the  throne  on  Mount 
Sion  ?  His  shining  face  was  covered  with  spittle, 
that  our  disfigured  faces  might  be  enamelled  with 
glory  !  Why  did  this  Jonah  cast  himself  into  the 
sea  of  his  father's  wrath,  but  to  save  the  ship  of 
his  church  from  sinking  ?  Christ  is  not  only  the 
vessel  in  which  the  waters  of  life  are  contained  j 
but  he  is  also  the  pipes  through  which  they  are 
conveyed. 

If  the  mountains  overflow  with  moisture,  the 
valleys  are  the  richer  :  but  if  the  head  be  full  of  ill 
humours,  the  whole  body  is  the  worse.  Happy 
are  those  persons,  whom  God  will  use  as  besoms, 
to  sweep  out  the  dust  from  his  temple ;  or  who 
shall  tug  at  an  oar,  in  the  boat  where  Christ  and 
his  church  are  embarked. 

David  was  a  king  that  ruled  in  righteousness, 
and  studied  not  so  much  to  make  himself  great,  as 
to  make  his  people  happy.  For  David,  after  he 
had  served  his  own  generation,  by  the  will  of  God, 
fell  asleep.  His  royal  services  were  not  swallowed 
up  in  the  narrow  gulf  of  self.  He  did  not  draw 
all  his  lines  to  the  ignoble  centre  of  his  own  ends. 
Such  birds  are  bad  in  the  nest  3  but  worse  when 
their  wings  are  fledged,  to  fly  abroad.  He  served 
his  own  generation,  not  the  preceding  j  for  that 
was  dead  before  he  was  alive  3  nor  the  succeeding, 
for  he  was  dead  before  that  was  alive. 

Every  gracious  spirit  is  public  j  but  every  pub- 
lic spirit  is  not  gracious.     God  may  use  the  mid- 


50  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

wifery  of  the  Egyptians  to  bring  forth  the  children 
of  Israelites.  An  iron  key  may  open  a  golden 
treasury  3  and  leaden  pipes  convey  pleasant  waters. 
Though  earthly  blessings  may  be  communicated  to 
a  spiritual  man,  yet  spiritual  blessings  will  not  be 
communicated  to  a  carnal  man. 

While  meteors  keep  above  in  the  firmament,  they 
yield  a  pleasing  lustre  j  but  when  they  decline,  and 
fall  to  the  earth,  they  come  to  nothing. 

Though  the  name  of  the  author  of  Psal.  cxxxvii. 
be  not  recorded  j  yet  his  generous  disposition 
should  ever  be  admired.  If  I  do  not  remember  thee, 
let  my  tongue  cleave  to  the  roof  of  my  mouth ;  if 
I  do  not  prefer  Jerusalem  above  my  chief  joy.  Good 
old  Eli  mourned  more  for  the  loss  of  religion,  than 
for  the  loss  of  his  relations.  His  heart  was  bro- 
ken before  his  neck.  If  the  church  be  lost.  Chris- 
tians cannot  be  saved  3  if  the  church  be  saved. 
Christians  cannot  be  lost. 

Augustus  Caesar  possessed  such  an  entire  attach- 
ment to  his  country,  that  he  called  it  his  own 
daughter,  and  refused  to  be  called  its  master ;  be- 
cause he  ruled  it,  not  by  fear,  but  by  love.  After 
his  decease,  his  disconsolate  people  lamented  over 
him,  saying,  '  O  would  to  God  that  he  had  never 
lived,  or  that  he  had  never  died!'  Those  whose 
lives  deserve  no  praises,  their  death  deserves  no 
tears. 

A  self-seeker  lives  unrespected,  and  dies  unla- 
mented.  When  once  a  man  becomes  a  God  to 
himself,  he  then  becomes  a  devil  to  others.  Such 
an  one  cares  not  who  sinks,  so  he  does  but  arrive 
safe  at  shore.     Those  execrable  wretches,  whose 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  61 

conduct  is  recorded  in  the  Acts,  cared  not  whether 
a  whole  city  lost  their  souls^  so  that  a  few  shrine- 
makers  might  but  preserve  their  gain. 

It  is  reported  of  Agrippina,  the  mother  of  Nero, 
who  being  told,  '  that  if  ever  her  son  came  to  be 
an  Emperor,  he  would  be  her  murderer,'  she  made 
this  reply,  '  I  am  content  to  perish,  if  he  may  be 
Emperor.'  What  she  expressed  vain-gloriously, 
that  we  should  do  religiously  :  '  Let  us  perish,  so 
our  neighbours,  our  relations,  and  our  country  be 
bettered  J  or  the  gospel,  or  the  Saviour,  be  honour- 
ed.' But  there  are  many  -who  entirely  reverse  this 
language  3  if  not  in  words,  yet  in  heart  they  say, 
*  Let  relations,  neighbours,  country,  and  religion 
perish,  so  we  are  benefited  thereby.' 

Such  was  the  public  spirit  of  Moses,  that  when 
the  Lord  proposed  to  him  to  destroy  Israel,  and  to 
make  a  great  nation  of  him,  he  became  intercessor 
for  them;  yea,  even  when  they  were  ready  to 
stone  him.  His  affection,  as  a  ruler,  was  stronger 
than  his  affection  as  a  father.  Thus  Joshua,  his 
honourable  successor,  so  far  imitated  him,  that  he 
first  divided  Canaan  into  several  allotments  and 
portions  for  the  tribes  of  Israel,  before  he  made 
any  provision  for  his  own  family.  Give  me  such 
carvers  as  lay  not  all  the  meat  upon  their  own 
dishes. 

5.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  have  the  most  beautiful  conversation 
among  the  blackest  persons. 

As  an  ungodly  man  poisons  the  air  in  which  he 
breathes  ;  so  he  pollutes  the  age  in  which  he  lives. 
The  putrid  grape  corrupts  the  sound  cluster.    Pious 


52  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Joseph,  by  living  in  the  court  of  Pharaoh,  had 
learned  to  swear  by  the  Hfe  of  Pharaoh.  A  high- 
priest's  hall  instructed  Peter  how  to  disclaim  his 
suft'ering  master.  Fresh  waters  lose  their  sweet- 
ness, by  gliding  into  the  salt  sea.  Those  who  sail 
among  the  rocks,  are  in  danger  of  splitting  their 
ships. 

When  vice  runs  in  a  single  stream,  it  is  then  a 
fordable  shallow  j  but  when  many  of  these  meet 
together,  they  then  swell  a  deeper  channel.  The 
Lord  has  appointed  from  the  beginning,  that  en- 
mity shall  subsist  between  the  righteous  seed  of  the 
woman  and  the  unrighteous  seed  of  the  serpent. — 
There  must  be  no  harmony,  where  the  chief  mu- 
sician will  have  a  jar.  It  is  far  better  to  have  the 
ungodly  man's  enmity,  than  his  society.  By  the 
former,  he  is  most  hateful  j  but  by  the  latter,  he  is 
most  hurtful.  A  religious  man  in  the  company  of 
wicked  men,  is  hke  a  gi-een  branch  among  dry  and 
burning  brands ;  they  can  sooner  kindle  him,  than 
he  can  quench  them. 

As  sheep  among  the  thorns  injure  their  fleeces  j 
so  saints  among  sinners  do  an  injury  to  their  graces. 
Hence  it  is  said.  Be  ye  not  unequally  yoked  together 
with  unbelievers ;  for  what  fellowship  hath  righte- 
ousness with  unrighteousness  ?  and  what  communion 
hath  light  with  darkness  9  and  what  concord  hath 
Christ  with  Belial?  or  what  part  hath  he  that 
believeth  with  an  infidel  ?  To  see  a  saint  and  a 
sinner  maintaining  familiar  intercourse  with  each 
other,  is  to  behold  the  living  and  the  dead  keeping 
house  together.  The  godly  are  more  frequently 
corrupted  by  the  evil  deportment  of  the  worldling, 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  5^ 

than  the  worldling  is  refined  by  the  chaste  con- 
versation of  the  godly. 

The  impious  lives  of  the  wicked  are  as  contagi- 
ous as  the  most  fearful-  plague  that  infects  the  air. 
When  the  doves  of  Christ  lie  among  such  pots, 
their  yellow  feathers  are  sullied.  You  may  observe, 
that  in  the  oven  the  fine  bread  frequently  hangs 
upon  the  coarse ;  but  the  coarse  very  seldom  ad- 
heres to  the  fine.  If  you  mix  an  equal  portion  of 
sour  vinegar  and  sweet  wine  together ;  you  will 
find  that  the  vinegar  will  sooner  sour  the  wine, 
than  the  wine  sweeten  the  vinegar. 

That  is  a  sound  body  that  continues  healthful  in 
a  pest-house.  It  is  a  far  greater  wonder  to  see  a 
saint  maintain  his  purity  among  sinners_,  than  it  is 
to  behold  a  sinner  becoming  pure  among  saints. 
Christians  are  not  always  like  fish,  which  retain 
their  freshness  in  the  salt  sea ;  or  like  the  rose, 
which  preserves  its  sweetness  among  the  most 
noisome  weeds ;  or  like  the  fire,  which  burns  the 
hottest  when  the  season  is  coldest. 

A  good  man  was  once  heard  to  lament, '  that  as 
often  as  he  went  into  the  company  of  the  wicked, 
he  returned  less  a  man  from  them,  than  he  was  be- 
fore he  joined  with  them.*  As  it  is  a  singular  thing 
to  touch  melting  pitch,  and  not  be  defiled  j  so  it  is 
for  saints  so  to  act  toward  sinners  as  to  do  much 
good  for  them,  and  receive  no  injury  from  them.  If 
we  cannot  help  them,  it  is  their  unholiness  3  if  they 
hurt  us,  it  is  our  unhappiness.  The  Lord's  people, 
by  keeping  evil  company,  are  like  persons  who  are 
much  exposed  to  the  sun,  insensibly  tanned. 

Every  Christian  is  a  light  in  the  world  j  though 
f3 


54  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

he  be  not,  the  light  of  the  world.  Let  your  light 
so  shine  before  men,  that  they,  seeing  your  good 
works,  may  glorify  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven* 
O  that  Christians  were  more  like  the  light,  which 
abides  pure,  though  the  air  be  corrupted  in  which 
it  dwells !  Men  may  defile  themselves  in  the  light  j 
but  they  cannot  defile  the  light  itself.  The  sun 
shines  throughout  an  impure  world,  and  yet  knows 
no  impurity.  Ah,  how  many  resemble  swine  in 
the  fairest  meadow  ;  which  would  break  every 
mound  to  find  the  mire  !  They  remind  me  of  im- 
pious Judas,  who,  instead  of  being  a  disciple 
amongst  devils,  was  a  devil  amongst  disciples. 
Poor  man,  he  was  all  precept,  and  no  example. 
He  could  attempt  to  reprove  one,  who  was  inno- 
cence itself  5  and  encourage  one,  who  was  sin  itself. 

Religious  company  brings  fire  to  our  graces,  to 
kindle  them  when  they  are  freezing  ■  but  irreligious 
company  brings  water  to  quench  them,  when  they 
are  flaming. 

It  is  observed  by  some,  '  that  the  sweetest  flow- 
ers may  be  found  among  the  most  offensive  herbs.' 
The  poets  aflirm,  that  ^  Venus  never  appeared  so 
beautiful,  as  when  she  sat  by  black  Vulcan's  side.' 
This  we  are  beyond  a  doubt  concerning,  that  Ste- 
phen's face  never  shone  so  gloriously  in  the  church, 
where  he  was  admired  j  as  in  the  council,  where 
he  was  abhorred.  Had  he  been  like  them,  they 
had  not  disliked  him.  Had  not  God  given  him 
spiritual  life,  they  would  never  have  put  him  to  an 
ignominious  death.  How  will  the  fire  consume  dry 
fuel,  when  it  prevailed  to  such  a  degree  over  the 
green ! 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  55 

That  jewel  must  needs  be  glorious  in  the  sun, 
which  glitters  in  the  shade.  There  are  certainly 
many  men,  who  can  suit  with  any  men.  They  can 
be  professors  with  professors,  and  scorners  amongst 
scorners.  One  day,  they  can  join  the  multitude  in 
shouting  Hosannah  !  In  another  day,  they  can  join 
the  pharisees  in  crying.  Crucify  him,  cruc^y  him ! — 
Thus  they  are  like  the  planet  Mercury,  in  the  ho- 
roscope of  man's  nativity  j  good,  in  conjunction 
with  those  who  are  good  •  and  evil,  in  conjunction 
with  those  who  are  evil. 

Every  man  loves  to  be  admired  •  and  is  too  apt 
to  take  pleasure  in  none  but  those  who  take  plea- 
sure in  him.  It  is  no  honourable  appearance,  when 
we  cease  to  be  exemplary  Christians,  that  others 
may  think  us  good  companions.  It  is  impossible 
to  be  conformed  to  the  world  in  our  outward 
man  •  and  transformed  to  God  in  our  inward 
man.  There  is  no  such  a  thing  as  being  an  out- 
ward heathen,  and  an  inward  Christian.  There  is 
but  little  difficulty  in  Englishing  the  Spanish  pro- 
verb :  '  Tell  me  where  you  go,  and  I  will  tell  you 
what  you  do.'  We  say,  '  that  birds  of  a  feather 
will  flock  together.'  To  be  too  intimate  with 
sinners,  is  to  intimate,  that  we  are  sinners. 

As  soon  as  the  disciples  were  let  go,  they  returned 
to  their  own  company.  With  whom  should  believ- 
ers join,  but  with  believers  ?  There  is  no  trusting 
the  tamest  nature  with  the  savage  monster  without 
manifest  danger.  It  is  running  a  great  risk,  to  be 
found  cohabiting  in  that  house,  where  God  is  not 
found  dwelling.  There  is  no  sleeping  with  dogs, 
without  swarming  with  vermin. 


56  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

That  is  a  royal  diadem,  which  Christ  places  upon 
the  head  of  his  spouse :  As  a  lily  among  thorns;  so 
is  my  beloved  among  the  daughters.  There  are 
many  thorns  among  the  lilies ;  but  there  are  not 
many  lilies  among  the  thorns.  It  is  a  choice  spec- 
tacle to  behold,  when  a  believer  preserves  his 
spiritual  beauty  amidst  the  tents  of  Kedarj  or 
when  he  is  like  Noah,  a  new  man  in  an  old  world. 
Had  Lot  been  polluted  with  Sodom's  sin,  he  might 
have  been  consumed  in  Sodom's  flames. 

It  is  ill  breathing  in  an  infectious  air.  Satan's 
progeny  love  not  to  go  to  hell  without  society.  It 
is  far  better  to  be  with  Phiipot  in  a  coal-house, 
than  with  a  Bonner  in  a  palace.  A  man  may  pass 
through  Ethiopia,  and  yet  be  unchanged  3  but  he 
cannot  take  up  his  residence  there,  without  being 
changed. 

Ecclesiastical  history  reports  of  Valens,  the  em- 
peror, that  he,  by  marrying  an  Arian  lady,  was 
corrupted  with  that  error.  '  Come  out  of  her,  my 
people  ;  that  you  be  not  partakers  of  her  sins,  and 
that  ye  receive  not  of  her  plagues.'  If  Rome  leave 
us  in  the  foundation  3  let  us  leave  her  in  the  su- 
perstructure. Where  she  departs  from  God,  there 
let  us  depart  from  her.  For  when  such  worms 
breed  in  the  body  of  a  nation,  they  will  soon  eat 
out  the  bowels  of  religion.  Not  to  guard  against 
such  wasps,  is  to  expose  ourselves  to  the  venom 
of  their  stings. 

6.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  chuse  the  worst  of  sorrows,  before  he 
will  commit  the  least  of  sins. 

The  wicked  entirely  reverse  this  j  for  they  will 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  57 

prefer  the  greatest  sin  to  the  least  sufferings.  This 
is  to  leap  out  of  the  burning  pan  into  the  consuming 
flame.  By  seeking  to  shun  an  external  calamity, 
they  rush  into  eternal  misery.  Spira,  by  labouring 
to  preserve  his  outward  estate,  exposed  himself  to 
the  most  bitter  reproaches  of  conscience.  This 
is  as  if  a  man  should  lose  his  head  to  preserve  his 
hat ;  or,  as  if  the  mariner  should  sink  the  sailing 
vessel  to  avoid  the  rising  storm. 

Above  every  evil,  we  should  consider  sin  as  the 
greatest  evil.  Sin  is  the  only  butt  at  which  all  the 
arrows  of  divine  vengeance  are  shot.  Sinners  are 
those  spiders  which  weave  their  own  webs,  and 
are  afterward  entangled  in  them.  Our  own  de- 
stniction  is  but  the  fruit  of  our  own  transgression. 

Sin  has  every  evil  subjoined  to  it;  it  is  the  foun- 
tain and  origin  of  them  all.  Thus  the  prophet 
viewed  it :  Wherefore  doth  a  living  man  complain, 
a  man  for  the  punishment  of  his  sins  ?  When  man 
had  no  evil  within  him,  he  had  no  evil  upon  him. 
He  began  to  be  sorrowful,  when  he  began  to  be 
sinful.  When  the  soul  shall  be  fully  released  from 
the  guilt  of  iniquity,  the  body  shall  be  wholly  de- 
livered from  the  burthen  of  infirmity.  Sorrow  shall 
never  be  a  visitant,  where  sin  is  not  an  inhabitant. 
The  former  would  be  a  foreigner,  if  the  latter  were 
not  a  sojourner. 

God  is  as  far  from  beating  his  children  for  no- 
thing, as  he  is  from  beating  them  to  nothing.  A 
hole  in  the  ship  will  sink  it  to  the  bottom.  A  small 
bite  from  a  serpent  will  affect  the  whole  body. 
There  is  no  way  to  calm  the  sea,  but  by  excom- 
municating Jonah  from  the  ship.     If  the  root  be 


58  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

killed,  the  branches  will  soon  be  withered.  If 
the  spring  be  diminished,  there  is  no  doubt  but 
the  streams  will  soon  fail.  Where  the  fuel  of 
corruption  is  removed,  there  the  fire  of  affliction 
is  extinguished. 

The  wages  of  sin  is  death.  As  the  works  of  sin 
are  dishonourable  j  so  the  wages  of  sin  are  mortal. 
The  corruption  of  nature  is  the  cause  of  the  disso- 
lution of  nature.  The  candle  of  our  lives  is  blovni 
out  by  the  wind  of  our  lusts.  Sin  is  that  noxious 
weed,  which  overtops  the  choicest  corn  3  —  that 
offensive  smoke,  which  depresses  the  rising  flame  -, 
— and  that  dismal  cloud,  which  overshadows  the 
beaming  sun. 

Were  it  not  for  sin,  death  would  never  have  had 
a  beginning :  were  it  not  for  death,  sin  would  never 
have  an  ending.  Man,  as  a  creature,  is  a  debtor 
to  the  commands  of  God,  as  a  sovereign  -,  but  as  a 
sinner,  he  is  a  debtor  to  the  severity  of  God,  as  a 
judge. 

What  is  so  sweet  a  good  as  Christ  ?  and  what  is 
so  great  an  evil  as  lust  ?  Sin  has  brought  many  a 
believer  into  suffering ;  and  suffering  has  instru- 
mentally  kept  many  a  believer  out  of  sin.  It  is 
better  to  be  preserved  in  brine,  than  to  rot  in  honey. 
The  bitterest  medicine  is  to  be  preferred  by  all  wise 
men,  before  the  sweetest  poison.  In  the  same  fire 
wherein  the  dross  is  consumed,  the  precious  gold 
is  refined. 

There  are  many  thousands  of  souls,  who  had 
never  obtained  the  hopes  of  heaven,  if  they  had  not 
been  brought  thither  by  the  gates  of  hell.  As  every 
mercy  is  a  drop  derived  from  the  ocean  of  God's 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  59 

goodness ;  so  every  misery  is  a  dram  weighed  out 
by  the  supreme  wisdom  of  God's  providence. 

When  Exdoxia  angrily  threatened  St.  Chrysos- 
tom  with  banishment,  he  calmly  replied  j  '  Go  tell 
her,  I  fear  nothing  but  sin.'  He  who  serves  God, 
need  fear  nothing  so  much  as  sin. 

Those  who  launch  out  into  any  undertaking, 
should  always  previously  look  well  to  their  tack- 
ling, lest  a  destructive  storm  should  overtake  them 
in  their  voyage.  A  bad  conscience  imbitters  the 
sweetest  comforts  ;  but  a  good  conscience  sweet- 
ens the  bitterest  crosses.  How  great  a  wound  do 
vices  make  in  the  conscience  3  yea,  even  in  our  in- 
fant years !  Though  the  hardened  sinner  be  not 
afraid  to  do  evil  5  yet  he  will  be  afraid  to  suffer 
evil.  What  need  those  fear  a  cross  on  the  hack, 
who  feel  a  Christ  in  their  heart? 

The  water  without  the  ship  may  toss  it ;  but  it 
is  the  water  within  the  ship  which  sinks  it.  It  is 
better  to  have  the  body  consumed  to  ashes  for  the 
sake  of  Christy  than  to  have  the  soul  dwell  in 
everlasting  burnings,  through  being  ashamed  of 
Christ.  Though  Christians  have  no  warrant  to 
expect  that  they  shall  live  here  without  afflictions  j 
yet  in  the  exercise  of  them,  faith  will  teach  them 
to  live  above  afflictions. 

That  noble  servant  of  Christ,  Ignatius,  gloried 
in  reproaches  for  his  Lord.  7  verily  delight  to  suf- 
fer for  Christ }  hut  I  know  not  whether  I  am  wor- 
thy to  suffer.  Every  Christian's  Patmos  is  his  way 
to  paradise. 

Suppose  tLw  furnace  be  heated  seven  times  hot- 
ter }  yet  God  can  make  the  sufferer  seventy  times 


60  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

happier.  Those  who  are  here  crossed  for  well-do' 
ing,  shall  hereafter  be  crowned  with  the,  well-dying. 
There  are  none  more  welcome  to  the  spiritual  Ca- 
naan, than  those  who  swim  to  it  through  the  red 
sea  of  their  own  blood. 

Christian  Reader,  when  yon  come  into  the  world, 
you  do  but  live  to  die  again  :  and  when  you  leave 
the  world,  you  do  but  die  to  live  again.  What 
is  the  grain  the  worse,  for  the  fan  by  which  it  is 
winnowed  ?  or  the  gold,  for  the  fire  by  which  it 
is  refined? 

Pendleton,  a  self-confident  professor,  promised 
to  fry  out  his  fat  body  in  the  flames  of  martyrdom, 
rather  than  betray  religion  ;  but  when  the  trial  ap- 
proached, he  changed  his  note,  and  said,  'I  came 
not  into  the  world  burning,  neither  will  I  go  out 
of  the  world  flaming.' 

Those  who  refuse  to  give  up  their  lusts  for 
Christ,  will  never  be  inclined  to  give  up  their  lives 
for  Christ.  Paul  and  Silas  had  their  prison  songs 
in  their  prison  sufferings.  Those  caged  birds  sang 
with  as  much  melody,  as  any  which  have  sky  liber- 
ty. Thus  Ignatius,  in  his  epistle  to  the  persecu- 
tors of  the  church,  gloried,  saying.  The  wild  beasts 
may  grind  me,  as  corn  between  their  teeth :  but  I 
shall  by  that  become  as  choice  bread,  in  the  hand  of 
my  God. 

I  have  read  an  account  of  a  woman^  who  was 
imprisoned  for  her  religion  ;  and  being  in  travail, 
she  cried  out  with  pain.  The  keeper  derided  her, 
saying,  '  How  can  you  endure  the  fire,  seeing  you 
make  so  much  noise  in  bringing  forth  a  child  V 
'  Very  well,'  said  she,  *  for  now  I  suffer  as  a  sin- 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  61 

ner,  but  then  I  shall  suffer  for  my  Saviour.'  There 
is  more  real  evil  in  a  particle  of  corruption,  than 
in  an  ocean  of  tribulation.  In  suffering,  the  of- 
fence is  offered  to  us ;  in  sinning,  the  offence  is 
committed  against  God. 

In  suffering,  there  is  an  infringement  of  man's 
liberty  •  in  sinning,  there  is  a  denial  of  God's  au- 
thority. The  evil  of  suffering  is  transient ;  but  the 
evil  of  sin  is  permanent.  In  suffering,  we  lose  the 
favour  of  men  3  but  in  sinning,  we  hazard  the  fa- 
vour of  God. 

The  rose  is  sweeter  under  the  still  where  it 
drops,  than  upon  the  stalk  whereon  it  grows.  The 
face  of  godliness  is  never  so  beautiful  as  when  it  is 
spit  upon.  The  best  of  wheat  is  that  which  sus- 
tains all  the  drifts  of  wintry  snow. 

That  was  an  heroic  saying  of  Vincentius,  to  his 
hardened  persecutors :  *  You  may  rage  and  do 
your  worst :  but  you  shall  find  the  spirit  of  God 
administering  more  strength  to  the  tormented, 
than  the  spirit  of  the  devil  affording  strength  to 
my  tormentors.'  Where  professors  chuse  that 
which  is  truly  best  j  there  let  malicious  persecu- 
tors do  their  worst.  Though  you  may  feel  their 
might,  yet  you  need  not  feel  their  mahce.  They 
can  have  no  just  grounds  of  fear,  whose  confidence 
is  in  God.  Life  is  only  to  be  desired,  by  those 
to  whom  death  would  be  no  gain. 

It  is  reported  of  Hooper  the  martyr,  that  when 
he  was  going  to  suffer,  a  certain  person  addressed 
him,  saying,  '  O  Sir,  take  care  of  yourself,  for  life 
is  sweet,  and  death  is  bitter.'  'Ah,  I  know  that,' 
replied  he ;  *  but  the  life  to  come  is  full  of  more 

G 


62  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

sweetness  than  this  mortal  life  j  and  the  death  to 
come  is  full  of  more  bitterness  than  this  uncommon 
death.'  A  man  may  suffer  without  sinning  ;  but 
he  cannot  sin  without  suffering. 

When  Philip  inquired  of  Demosthenes,  whether 
he  was  afraid  to  lose  his  head ;  he  answered,  'No  ^ 
for  if  I  do  lose  it,  the  Athenians  will  bestow  an 
immortal  one  upon  me.' 

That  was  animating  language  which  dropped 
from  the  lips  of  the  three  children,  or  rather  of  the 
three  champions  :  0  Nebuchadnezzar,  we  are  not 
careful  to  answer  thee  in  this  matter.  If  it  be  so, 
our  God,  whom  we  serve,  is  able  to  deliver  us  from 
the  burning  fery  furnace,  and  he  will  deliver  us  out 
of  thine  hand,  0  king.  But  if  not,  be  it  known 
unto  thee,  0  king,  that  we  will  not  serve  thy  gods, 
nor  worship  the  golden  image,  that  thou  hast  set  up. 
Either  they  must  sin  foully,  or  suffer  sadly.  They 
must  either  bow  to  a  golden  image,  or  burn  in  a 
flaming  furnace.  But  they  were  as  far  from  wor- 
shipping his  gods,  as  he  was  from  worshipping 
their  God. 

The  beloved  Daniel  chose  rather  to  lie  in  the 
den  of  lions,  than  shamefully  desert  the  cause  of  the 
Lamb.  Shall  not  we,  for  his  sake,  bear  the  wrath 
of  man,  who  for  our  sakes  bore  the  wrath  of  God } 
Though  obedience  be  better  than  sacrifice,  yet 
sometimes  for  a  man  to  sacrifice  himself  is  the  best 
obedience.  He  that  loses  a  base  life  for  Christ, 
shall  hereafter  find  a  better  life  in  Christ. 

When  Herod  and  Nicetes  attempted  to  turn 
Polycarp  from  the  faith,  by  insinuating  that  '  there 
was  no  evil  in  calling  Caesar,  Lord,  and  offering 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  63 

sacrifices  to  hira  ,'  he  replied,  that  *  He  had  served 
Jesus  Christ  for  many  years,  and  had  always  found 
him  a  good  master ;  that  he  should  therefore  sub- 
mit himself  to  all  the  tortures  they  should  inflict, 
rather  than  deny  him.' 

Moses,  that  memorable  worthy,  chose  rather  to 
suffer  affliction  with  the  people  of  God,  than  enjoy 
the  pleasures  of  sin  for  a  season.  What  is  a  cup 
of  physic,  which  removes  a  disease,  compared  with 
a  cup  of  poison,  which  takes  away  the  life  ?  Those 
who  live  upon  God  in  the  use  of  the  creature,  can 
also  live  upon  him  in  the  loss  of  the  creature.  That 
was  a  noble  expression  of  a  noble  Christian  : 
'Whatsoever  I  thankfully  receive,  as  a  token  of 
God's  love  to  me ;  I  part  with  contentedly,  as  a 
token  of  my  love  to  him.' 

For  a  righteous  man,  scarcely  will  one  die;  yet 
per  adventure,  for  a  good  man,  some  would  even  dare 
to  die.  Shall  one  even  dare  to  die  for  a  good  man  ? 
and  shall  we  refuse  to  die  for  a  good  God  ? 

Others  were  tortured,  not  accepting  deliverance ; 
that  they  might  obtain  a  better  resurrection.  Some 
would  have  used  any  picklock,  to  have  opened  a 
passage  to  their  liberty ;  but  they  knew  too  much 
of  another  world,  to  bid  at  so  high  a  rate  for  the 
present. 

It  is  reported  of  Hormisdas,  a  nobleman  of  Persia, 
who  being  degraded  of  all  his  promotions,  because 
he  would  not  change  his  profession  ■  that  after- 
ward his  persecutors  restored  them  all  again,  and 
solicited  hira  to  deny  Christ :  but  he  rent  his  pur- 
ple robe,  and  laid  all  his  honours  at  the  feet  of  the 
Emperor,  saying,  'If  you  restore  these  honours. 


64  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

with  an  intention  to  make  me  desert  my  Saviour ; 
I  beg  leave  to  decline  accepting  them,  upon  such 
conditions.'  —  Good  man  !  he  thought,  and  that 
justly  too,  that  Christ  without  woHdly  honour  was 
better,  than  worldly  honour  without  Christ. 

It  is  recorded  concerning  one  of  the  martyrs, 
that  when  he  was  going  to  the  stake,  a  nobleman 
besought  him,  in  a  compassionate  manner,  to  take 
care  of  his  soul.  'So  I  will,'  he  rephed,  'for  I 
give  my  body  to  be  burnt,  rather  than  have  my 
soul  defiled.'  How  many  professors  are  there, 
who  would  rather  have  sinful  self  satisfied,  than 
crucified ! 

As  the  power  of  grace  comes  in  at  one  door,  the 
love  of  vice  will  go  out  at  another.  The  only  way 
to  have  the  house  of  Saul  weakened,  is  to  get  the 
house  of  David  strengthened.  Those  Philistines, 
who  wanted  fortitude  to  meet  Samson  when  he 
was  in  vigour,  could  insultingly  dance  round  him 
when  he  was  in  affliction. 

Reader,  consider  seriously,  that  it  is  sin  which  in 
this  life  debases  a  person,  and  in  the  next  life  de- 
stroys him.  Their  state  must  be  awful,  whose  end 
is  damnation  ■  because  their  damnation  is  without 
end.  No  condition  can  be  so  intolerably  doleful, 
as  that  which  is  unalterably  painful. 

A  certain  person,  on  seeing  a  Christian  woman 
go  cheerfully  to  prison,  said  to  her,  '  O  you  have 
not  yet  tasted  of  the  bitterness  of  death.'  She  as 
cheerfully  answered,  '  No,  nor  never  shall  •  for 
Christ  hath  promised  that  those  who  keep  his  say- 
ings shall  never  see  death.'  A  believer  may  feel 
the  stroke  of  death ;   but  he  shall  never  feel  the 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  65 

Sting  of  death.  The  first  death  may  bring  his 
body  to  corruption ;  but  the  second  death  shall 
never  bring  his  soul  to  destruction.  Though  he 
may  endure  the  cross  j  yet  he  shall  not  endure  the 
curse.  There  can  be  no  condemnation  to  those 
Christians,  who  belong  to  Christ. 

^.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  he  a  father  to  all  in  charity,  and  yet  a 
servant  to  all  in  humility. 

First,  To  be  a  father  to  all  in  charity.  That 
crop  that  is  sown  in  mercy,  shall  be  reaped  in 
glory.  In  heaven  there  are  riches  enough  j  but 
no  poor  to  receive  them.  In  hell  there  are  poor 
enough  5  but  no  rich  to  relieve  them.  How  many 
of  the  most  wealthy  are  deaf  to  the  most  importu- 
nate requests  for  mercy !  They  will  do  no  good  in 
the  world,  with  the  goods  q/'the  world.  They  too 
much  resemble  spunges ;  which  greedily  suck  up 
the  waters,  but  will  not  yield  a  return  of  them 
again,  till  they  are  well  squeezed. 

Necessity  is  not  likely  to  be  supplied  by  the 
hand  of  misery;  while  there  are  so  many,  that 
would  help,  cannot,  for  want  of  ability  5  and  so 
many,  who  may  help,  will  not,  for  want  of  charity. 
There  is  not  a  drop  of  water  for  such  a  Dives  in 
hell,  who  has  not  a  crumb  of  bread  for  a  poor  dis- 
tressed Lazarus  upon  earth.  Every  act  of  charity 
is  but  an  act  of  equity.  It  is  not  the  bestowment 
of  our  gifts  5  but  the  payment  of  our  debts. 

The  rich  man's  superfluity  was  ordained  to  re- 
lieve the  poor  man's  necessity.  A  lady,  on  giving 
sixpence  to  a  beggar,  accosted  him  thus  :  '  I  have 
now  given  you  more  than  ever  God  gave  me.'  To 
g3 


66  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

whom  he  replied^  '  No,  madam  j  God  hath  given 
you  all  your  abundance.'  '  That  is  your  mistake/ 
said  she,  'for  he  hath  but  lent  it  me,  that  I  might 
bestow  it  on  such  as  you.' 

John,  the  beloved  disciple  of  Christ,  inculcates 
the  doctrine  of  love  to  the  disciples  of  Christ : 
Whosoever  believeth  that  Jesus  is  the  Christ,  is  born 
of  God ;  and  every  one  that  loveth  him  that  begat, 
loveth  him  also  that  is  begotten  of  him.  As  holi- 
ness works  a  likeness  to  him  that  begets  it ;  so  it 
works  a  love  to  those  who  enjoy  it.  It  is  impos- 
sible for  any  one  to  love  the  person  of  Christ,  who 
does  not  delight  in  the  picture  of  Christ.  He  that 
loves  himself,  will  not  hate  his  brother.  While  he 
is  out  of  charity  with  his  brother,  he  shews  that 
God  is  out  of  charity  with  him  ;  and  we  lose  more 
for  want  of  God's  love,  than  our  brethren  lose  for 
want  of  our  love. 

He  is  not  a  covetous  man,  who  lays  up  some- 
thing providentially ;  but  he  is  a  covetous  man, 
who  gives  out  nothing  willingly.  He  is  as  prudent 
a  man,  who  sometimes  distributes  discreetly,  as  he 
who  accumulates  hastily.  Men  frequently  disco- 
ver more  wisdom  in  laying  out,  than  in  laying  up. 

Reader,  the  hope  of  living  long  on  earth  should 
not  make  you  covetous  j  but  the  prospect  of  liv- 
ing long  in  heaven  should  make  you  bounteous. 
Though  the  sun  of  charity  rise  at  home  j  yet  it 
should  always  set  abroad. 

Seneca,  the  heathen,  inculcates  a  principle  wor- 
thy the  credence  of  every  Christian  :  '  I  believe, 
I  truly  enjoy  no  more  of  the  world's  affluence, 
than  what  I  willingly  distribute  to  the  necessit- 


m   HIS   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  67 

ous.'  Without  your  mercy,  the  poor  cannot  live 
on  earth  ;  and  without  God's  mercy,  you  shall  not 
live  in  heaven.  Some  men's  churlishness  entirely 
swallovrs  up  their  charitableness.  Instead  of  pray- 
ing one  for  another,  they  are  making  a  prey  one 
of  another. 

When  I  consider  that  our  hearts  are  no  softer, 
I  wonder  that  the  times  are  no  harder.  It  is  a 
reproach  to  many  rich  men,  that  God  should  give 
them  so  much,  and  that  they  should  give  the  poor 
so  little. 

Some  observe  that  the  most  barren  grounds  are 
nearest  to  the  richest  mines.  It  is  too  often  true 
in  a  spiritual  sense,  that  those,  whom  God  hath 
made  the  most  fruitful  in  estates,  are  most  barren 
in  good  works.  It  is  too  generally  true,  that  the 
rich  spend  their  substance  wantonly,  while  the 
poor  give  their  alms  willingly.  A  penny  comes 
with  more  difficulty  out  of  a  bag  that  is  pressing 
full  3  than  a  shilling  out  of  a  purse  that  is  half 
empty. 

Wherefore  doth  the  Lord  make  your  cup  run 
over,  but  that  other  men's  lips  might  taste  the 
liquor  ?  The  showers  that  fall  upon  the  highest 
mountains,  should  glide  into  the  lowest  valleys. 
Give,  and  it  shall  be  given  you,  is  a  maxim  little 
believed. 

It  is  infidelity  which  is  the  spring  of  all  cruelty  j 
so  that,  wheresoever  you  can  discover  the  face  of 
one,  you  may  also  hear  the  sound  of  the  other's 
feet.  If  you  deny  relief  to  those  who  are  virtuous, 
you  kill  laborious  bees  -,  if  you  bestow  your  gifts  on 
those  who  are  vicious,  you  do  but  support  drones  : 


68  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

but  it  is  better  to  favour  a  bastard_,  than  to  murder 
a  legitimate  child.  God  looks  not  so  much  on 
the  merits  of  the  beggar,,  as  upon  the  mercy  of 
the  giver. 

He  hath  shewed  thee,  0  man,  what  is  good ;  and 
what  doth  the  Lord  require  of  thee,  but  to  do  justly, 
and  love  mercy,  and  to  walk  humbly  with  thy  God? 
Here  is  a  trinity  of  precepts,  from  a  trinity  of  per- 
sons. Pharisees  delight  more  to  plead  this  precept, 
than  to  practise  it  3  M^hich  is,  as  if  a  man  should 
cry  up  the  kindness  of  his  king,  and  at  the  same 
time  join  in  rebellion  against  him.  If  all  were 
rich,  no  alms  need  be  received  3  if  all  were  poor, 
no  alms  could  be  bestowed. 

God,  who  could  have  made  all  men  wealthy, 
hath  made  most  men  poor  5  that  the  poor  might 
have  Christ  for  an  example  of  patience,  and  the 
rich  for  an  example  of  goodness.  Cruelty  is  one  of 
the  highest  scandals  to  piety  5  for  instead  of  turn- 
ing lions  into  lambs,  it  turns  lambs  into  lions. 

Be  ye  therefore  merciful,  as  your  Father  also  is 
merciful.  Clemency  is  one  of  the  brightest  dia- 
monds in  the  crown  of  majesty.  How  cheerfully 
should  we  take  off  the  copy,  when  we  consider  who 
has  set  us  the  example !  Be  ye  therefore  perfect, 
even  as  your  Father  which  is  in  heaven  is  perfect. 
What  one  scripture  calls  mercy,  the  other  styles 
perfection  ^  as  if  this  one  perfection  of  mercy  in- 
cluded all.  He  that  sheweth  mercy  when  it  may 
be  best  spared,  will  receive  mercy  when  it  shall 
most  be  needed. 

It  is  reported  of  one  of  the  Dukes  of  Savoy,  that, 
being  asked  by  certain  ambassadors  at  his  court 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  69 

what  hounds  he  kept ;  he  conducted  them  into  a 
large  room,  where  there  were  a  number  of  poor 
people  sitting  at  table.  '  These/  said  he,  '  are  all 
the  hounds  I  have  upon  earth  j  and  with  whom  I 
am  in  pursuit  of  the  kingdom  of  heaven.'  It  is 
counted  an  honour  to  live  like  princes  j  but  it  is  a 
greater  honour  to  give  like  princes. 

Pure  religion,  and  undejiled  before  God  and  the 
Father,  is  this;  to  visit  the  fatherless  and  widows  in 
their  affliction,  and  to  keep  himself  unspotted  from 
the  world.  The  flames  of  piety  towards  God  must 
be  accompanied  with  the  incense  of  charity  towards 
man.  Mercy  is  so  good  a  servant,  that  it  will  never 
suflfer  its  master  to  die  a  beggar. 

Those  who  have  drained  their  own  wells  dry, 
in  order  to  fill  the  poor  man's  cistern,  shall  never 
perish  for  want  of  water  to  quench  their  thirst. 
Those  who  have  blessed  others,  shall  be  blessed 
themselves. 

Then  shall  the  King  say  unto  them  on  his  right 
hand.  Come,  ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the 
kingdom  prepared  for  you  from  the  foundation  of 
the  world.  For  I  was  an  hungred,  and  ye  gave  me 
meat :  I  was  thirsty,  and  ye  gave  me  drink.  Mercy 
is  the  queen  of  beauty,  and  the  blessed  offspring  of 
the  King  of  glory. 

Scarce  any  virtue  in  the  whole  scripture  has  been 
returned  with  greater  interest  than  the  love  of  mer- 
cy. Though  charity  may  make  your  purse  lighter 
one  day  j  yet  it  will  make  it  heavier  another.  All 
who  have  their  names  registered  in  the  book  of 
eternity,  will  have  the  poor  man's  distresses  re- 
corded upon  the  heart  of  sympathy :    for  though 


/ 


70  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

they  be  so  poor  as  to  be  unable  to  relieve  him  j  yet 
they  are  so  tender  as  to  pity  him.  I  know  no  bet- 
ter way  to  preserve  your  meal,  than  by  parting 
with  your  cake.  Methinks,  full  breasts  should 
milk  themselves  without  drawing  j  and  large 
springs  should  send  forth  their  waters  without 
pumping.  Your  benevolence  should  seek  the  poor, 
before  the  poor  seek  your  benevolence. 

PiU  on,  therefore,  {as  the  elect  of  God)  bowels  of 
mercy.  He  that  hath  put  oft"  the  bowels  of  com- 
passion, hath  put  off  the  badge  of  election.  Many 
can  love  at  their  tongue's  end ;  but  the  godly  love 
at  iheiY  finger  s  end.  If  a  man  be  naked^  it  is  easy 
for  the  miser  to  bid  him  be  clothed  j  or  if  he  be 
empty,  he  can  easily  bid  him  be  filled ;  as  if  poor 
Christians  were  like  chameleons,  able  to  live  upon 
the  air.  Liberality  does  not  consist  in  good  words, 
but  in  good  works.  The  doubtful  are  to  be  re- 
solved by  our  counsels;  but  the  necessitous  are  to 
be  relieved  by  our  morsels.  Methinks  it  is  ex- 
ceedingly lovely  to  behold  the  pictures  of  purity, 
though  they  be  hung  in  the  frames  of  poverty. 

Reader,  would  you  be  covetous  of  any  thing  ? 
let  it  be  rather  to  lay  out  on  necessity,  than  to  lay 
up  for  posterity.  Hospitality  is  seed;  and  the 
husbandman  does  not  become  wealthy  by  saving, 
but  by  sowing  of  his  seed. 

Secondly,  A  servant  to  all  in  humility. 

Our  first  fall  was  by  rising  against  God ;  but 
our  best  rise,  is  by  falling  down  before  him.  The 
acknowledgement  of  our  own  impotence,  is  the 
only  stock  upon  which  the  Lord  ingrafts  divine  as- 
sistance. 


IX  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  71 

A  humble  saint  looks  most  like  a  citizen  of  hea- 
ven. Whosoever  will  be  chief  among  you,  let  him 
be  your  servant.  He  is  the  most  lovely  professor, 
who  is  the  most  lowly  professor.  As  incense  smells 
the  sweetest  when  it  is  beaten  smallest  j  so  saints 
look  fairest  when  they  lie  lowest.  Arrogance  in 
the  soul  resembles  the  spleen  in  the  body  j  which 
grows  most,  while  other  parts  are  decaying.  God 
will  not  suffer  such  a  weed  to  grow  in  his  garden, 
without  taking  some  course  to  root  it  up.  A  be- 
liever is  like  a  vessel  cast  into  the  sea  3  the  more 
it  fills,  the  more  it  sinks. 

Pride  goeth  before  destruction ;  and  an  haughty 
spirit  before  a  fall.  The  flowing  river  quickly 
turns  to  an  ebbing  water.  It  is  not  all  the  world 
that  can  pull  a  humble  man  down,  because  God 
will  exalt  him  j  nor  is  it  all  the  world  that  can  keep 
a  proud  man  up,  because  God  will  debase  him. 

Do  but  mark  how  one  of  the  best  of  saints  views 
himself  as  one  of  the  least  of  saints  :  For  I  am  the 
least  of  the  apostles ;  that  am  not  meet  to  be  called 
an  apostle.  In  the  highest  heavens,  the  beams  of 
majesty  are  displayed ;  but  to  the  lowest  hearts,  the 
bowels  of  mercy  are  discovered.  Be  ye  clothed  with, 
humility.  Pride  is  a  sinner's  torment,  but  humility 
is  a  saint's  ornament.  The  cloth  of  humility  should 
always  be  worn  on  the  back  of  Christianity. 

God  many  times  places  a  thorn  in  the  flesh,  to 
pierce  the  bladder  of  pride.  He  makes  us  feel  a 
sense  of  our  misery,  that  we  may  sue  for  his  un- 
merited mercy.  The  frst  Adam  was  for  self-ad- 
vancement J  but  the  second  Adam  is  for  self-abase- 
ment :  the  foiTiier  was  for  having  self  deified ;  the 
latter  is  for  having  self  cruciHed. 


72  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Though  there  may  be  something  left  by  self-de- 
nial ;  yet  there  can  be  nothing  lost  by  self-denial : 
nay,  a  man  can  never  enjoy  himself  till  he  be 
brought  to  deny  himself.  We  live,  by  dying  to 
ourselves  ;  and  die,  by  living  to  ourselves.  There 
is  no  proud  man,  but  what  is  foolish  3  and  scarce- 
ly any  foolish  man,  but  what  is  proud.  It  is  the 
night-owl  of  ignorance,  which  broods  and  hatches 
the  peacock  of  pride. 

God  abhors  them  worst,  who  adore  themselves 
most.  Pride  is  not  a  Bethel,  that  is,  a  house  where 
God  dwells  ;  but  a  Babel,  that  is,  a  noisome  dun- 
geon in  which  satan  abides.  It  is  not  only  a  most 
hateful  evil  j  but  it  is  a  radical  evil.  As  all  other 
lusts  are  found  lodging  in  it ;  so  they  are  found 
springing  from  it.  It  is  a  foul  leprosy,  in  the 
face  of  morality  j  and  a  hurtful  worm,  gnawing 
at  the  root  of  humility.  It  is  a  swelling  dropsy 
within,  and  a  spreading  plague  without. 

Wherefore  he  saith,  God  resisteth  the  proud;  hut 
giveth  grace  unto  the  humble.  Give  me  the  homely 
vessel  of  humility,  which  God  shall  preserve,  and 
fill  with  the  wine  of  his  grace ;  rather  than  the 
varnished  cup  of  pride,  which  he  will  dash  in 
pieces,  like  a  potter's  vessel.  Where  humility  is 
the  corner-stone,  there  glory  shall  be  the  top- 
stone. 

It  is  impossible  to  have  true  thoughts  of  our- 
selves, while  we  entertain  high  thoughts  of  our- 
selves. Though  all  men  forsake  thee,  yet  will  not 
J.  Poor  Peter,  he  was  the  most  impotent,  when 
he  was  the  most  arrogant.  He  had  no  doubt  of 
standing,  while  others  were  falling  j  but  it  prov- 
ed at  last,  that  he  fell  while  others  stood. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  73 

That  was  an  excellent  saying  of  one  :  '  Where 
u  gracious  person  would  sit  below  me,  I  will  ac- 
knowledge his  dignity ;  but  where  a  proud  person 
would  move  above  me,  I  Avould  abhor  his  vanity.' 
An  humble  heart  may  meet  with  opposition  from 
man  J  but  it  shall  meet  with  approbation  from 
God.  As  humihty  is  a  grace  very  excellent  in 
itself;  so  it  is  very  pleasing  to  God.  He  who  is 
a  subject  of  the  former,  shall  hereafter  be  an  in- 
heriter  with  the  latter. 

8.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  mourn  most  before  God,  for  those  lusts 
which  appear  least  before  men. 

Others  cannot  mourn  in  secret  for  public  sins, 
but  we  should  mourn  in  public  for  our  secret  sins. 
That  must  be  sought  with  repentance,  which  has 
been  so  long  lost  by  disobedience.  Outward  acts 
are  most  scandalous  among  men,  but  inward  lusts 
are  most  dangerous  before  God.  Reader,  if  you 
would  know  the  heart  of  your  sin,  then  you  must 
know  the  sins  of  your  heart ;  for,  out  of  the  heart 
proceed  evil  thoughts,  murders,  adulteries,  fornica- 
tions, thefts,  false  witness,  blasphemies.  These 
streams  of  defilement  which  appear  in  your  life, 
do  but  shew  what  a  fountain  of  wickedness  there 
is  in  your  heart.  Even  the  thought  of  foolishness 
is  sin.  When  sin  hath  conceived,  it  bringeth  forth 
death.  There  is  no  sin  so  little  as  not  to  kindle 
an  eternal  fire  :  its  first-born  is  death,  and  its 
last-born  is  hell. 

Though  repentance  be  the  act  of  man,  yet  it  is 
the  gift  of  God :  it  requires  the  same  power  to  melt 
the  heart,  as  to  make  it.     As  we  are  deeply  fallen 


74  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

from  a  state  of  innocence,  so  we  should  rise  to  a 
state  of  penitence.  Those  sins  shall  never  make 
a  hell  for  us,  which  are  a  hell  to  us.  Some  people 
do  nothing  more  than  make  work  for  repentance, 
and  yet  do  nothing  less  than  repent  of  their  works. 
They  have  sin  enough  for  all  their  sorrows,  but  not 
sorrow  enough  for  all  their  sins.  Their  eyes  are 
casements  to  let  in  lusts,  when  they  should  be 
flood-gates  to  pour  out  tears. 

When  godly  sorrow  takes  possession  of  the 
house,  it  will  quickly  shut  sin  out  of  doors.  There 
must  be  a  falling  out  with  our  lust,  before  there 
can  be  a  genuine  falling  off  from  our  lusts :  a 
loathing  of  sin  in  our  affections,  before  a  true 
leaving  of  sin  in  our  actions.  It  is  an  hearty 
mourning  for  our  transgressions,  which  makes 
way  for  a  happy  funeral  of  our  corruptions. 

O  sinner,  you  have  filled  the  hook  of  God  with 
your  sins ,-  and  will  you  not  fill  the  hottle  of  God 
with  your  tears  ?  Remember,  that  when  Christ 
draws  the  likeness  of  the  new  creature,  his  first 
pencil  is  dipped  in  water.  Except  ye  repent,  ye 
shall  all  likewise  perish.  Is  it  not  better  to  repent 
without  perishing,  than  to  perish  without  repent- 
ing ?  Godly  sorrow  is  such  a  grace,  as  without  it, 
not  a  soul  shall  be  saved,  and  with  it,  not  a  soul 
shall  be  lost.  Is  it  not  therefore  better  to  swim  in 
the  water-works  of  repentance,  than  to  burn  in  the 
Jire-works  of  vengeance  ?  Think  not  that  the 
tears  which  in  hell  are  offered,  will  in  the  least 
abate  the  torments  which  in  hell  are  suffered. 

Repentance  is  an  invaluable  grace,  for  it  is  the 
bestowment  of  an  invaluable  Saviour.     Him  hath 


Ix\  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  75 

God  exalted  to  be  a  Prince  and  a  Saviour ,  to  give 
repentance  to  Israel,  and  remission  of  sins.  As  a 
Prince  he  gives  repentance,  and  as  a  Priest  he 
gives  pardon.  Our  humiliation  is  the  fruit  of  his 
exaltation  :  as  he  was  abased  for  the  creature's 
advancement,  so  he  was  exalted  for  the  creature's 
abasement.  Remember,  sinner,  if  your  heart  be 
not  broken  in  you,  your  guilt  is  not  broken  from 
you.  If  you  lay  not  your  sins  to  heart,  that  you 
may  be  humbled  ,•  God  will  lay  your  sins  to  your 
charge,  that  you  may  be  damned.  Though  repen- 
tance be  not  a  pardon's  obtainer ;  yet  it  is  a  par- 
don's/ore-rwwwer. 

He  that  lives  in  sin,  without  repentance  3  shall 
die  in  sin,  without  forgiveness.  There  is  no  com- 
ing to  the  fair  haven  of  glory,  without  sailing 
through  the  narrow  strait  of  repentance.  Christ 
Jesus  rejoices  over  those  as  blessed,  who  mourn 
over  themselves  as  cursed.  Blessed  are  they  that 
mourn,  for  they  shall  be  comforted.  Out  of  the 
saltest  water,  God  can  brew  the  sweetest  liquor. 
The  skilful  bee  gathers  the  best  honey  from  the 
bitterest  herbs.  When  the  cloud  has  been  dissolv- 
ed into  a  shower,  there  presently  follows  a  glorious 
sunshine.  The  more  a  stone  is  wounded  by  the 
hand  of  the  engraver,  the  greater  beauty  is  superin- 
duced thereon.  By  groans  unutterable,  the  Lord 
ushers  in  joys  unspeakable. 

None  do  more  sing  in  the  possession  of  Christ, 
than  such  as  most  lament  the  departure  of  Christy 
usually  their  joys  are  commensurate  to  their  sor- 
rows. A  tender  heart  is  like  melting  wax :  ah, 
what  choice  impressions  are  made  upon  such  dis- 
positions ! 


76  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

A  Christian  should  mourn  more  for  the  lusts  of 
the  flesh,  than  for  the  works  of  the  flesh  :  for  the 
sin  of  our  nature  transcends  the  nature  of  all  our 
outward  sins.  Carnal  sins  defile  the  soul  %  the 
body ;  but  spiritual  sins  defile  the  soul  in  the  body. 
Many  people  can  mourn  over  a  body  from  which 
a  soul  is  departed,  but  they  cannot  mourn  over  a 
soul  whom  God  has  deserted :  alas !  what  is  the 
bite  of  a  fly,  to  the  stinging  of  a  scorpion  ?  or  a 
spot  in  the  face,  to  a  stab  in  the  heart  ?  Inward 
diseases  are  least  visible,  and  yet  most  fatal.  A 
man  may  die  of  the  plague,  although  his  spots 
never  appear. 

Sin  in  the  soul,  is  like  Jonah  in  the  ship  j  it 
turns  the  smoothest  water  into  a  troubled  ocean. 
We  must  mourn  for  sin  on  earth,  or  burn  for  sin 
in  hell.  It  is  the  coldness  of  our  hearts,  which 
kindles  the  fire  of  God's  anger.  They  shall  look 
upon  him  whom  they  have  pierced,  and  mourn  for 
him,  as  one  that  mourneth  for  his  only  son;  and 
shall  be  in  bitterness  for  him,  as  one  that  is  in  bit- 
terness for  his  first  born.  —  Christians!  th^  nails 
that  pierced  his  hands,  should  now  pierce  your 
hearts :  you  should  now  be  deeply  wounded  w  ith 
godly  sorrow,  for  having  so  deeply  wounded  him 
with  your  deadly  sins.  It  should  grieve  your 
spirits,  to  remember  how  much  you  have  grieved 
his  Spirit. 

A  believer  puts  on  the  sackcloth  of  contrition, 
for  having  put  oft"  the  garment  of  perfection.  As 
the  sugar-loaf  is  dissolved,  and  weeps  itself  away, 
when  dipped  in  wine  5  so  do  our  hearts  melt  un- 
der a  sense  of  divine  love.     Our  language  at  such 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  11 

a  season  is,  O  that  we  should  be  such  base  children 
to  so  blessed  a  Father ! 

Man  must  be  convinced  of  sin,  before  he  can 
truly  repent  of  sin  :  unbelief  in  the  heart  is  like 
the  worm  in  Jonah's  gourd,  an  unseen  adversaiy  j 
it  is  least  visible,  but  most  hurtful.  Infidelity  is 
the  worst  of  robbers  j  it  both  plunders  and  wounds 
the  soul :  Christ  may  dwell  in  the  heart  where  it 
lurks,  but  not  where  it  reigns.  If  Christ  destroy 
its  armour,  it  becomes  weak  as  other  men.  Its 
chief  strength  wherein  it  trusteth,  is  ignorance  j 
and  no  wonder  why  men  sigh  so  little  for  sin, 
when  they  see  so  little  of  sin.  They  have  tears 
enough  for  their  outward  losses,  but  none  for  their 
inward  lusts  :  they  can  mourn  for  the  evil  which 
sin  brings,  but  not  for  sin  which  brings  the  evil. 

Pharaoh  more  lamented  the  hard  strokes  that 
were  upon  him,  than  the  hard  heart  which  was 
within  him.  Esau  mourned  not  ^because  he  sold 
the  birth-right,  which  was  his  sin  5  but  because 
he  lost  the  blessing,  which  was  his  punishment. 
This  is  like  weeping  with  an  onion  j  the  eye  sheds 
tears,  because  it  smarts.  A  mariner  casts  over- 
board that  cargo  in  a  tempest,  which  he  courts  the 
return  of  when  the  winds  are  silenced.  Many 
complain  more  of  the  sorrows  to  which  they  are 
born,  than  of  the  sins  with  which  they  were  born  : 
they  tremble  more  at  the  vengeance  of  sin,  than  at 
the  venom  of  sin  3  one  delights  them,  the  other 
affrights  them. 

The  sinners  in  Sion  are  afraid,  fearfulness  hath 
surprised  the  hypocrites.     Why,  what  is  the  mat- 
ter?    Who  amongst  us  shall  dwell  in  everlasting 
h3 


78  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

burnings  ?  They  feared  corruption,  not  as  it  was  a 
coal  that  defiled,  but  as  it  was  a  fire  that  burned 
them.  A  stroke  from  justice  brake  the  heart  of 
Judas  into  despair  ;  while  a  look  from  mercy  melt- 
ed Peter's  heart  into  tears. 

There  are  two  things  in  our  sins ;  the  devilish- 
ness  of  them,  and  the  dangerousness  of  them. 
Now  take  a  saint  and  a  sinner ;  the  first  says, 
'  What  have  I  done  ?'  the  last  says,  '  What  must 
I  suffer  V  One  mourns  for  the  active  evil  j  the 
other  for  the  passive  evil.  The  former  grieves  be- 
cause his  soul  is  defiled ;  the  latter,  because  his 
soul  is  condemned.  Water  may  gush  from  a  rock 
when  it  is  smitten  with  a  rod  •  but  all  such  streams 
are  lostj  for  they  neither  quench  the  flames  of 
hell,  nor  fill  God's  bottles  in  heaven. 

Our  whole  life  should  be  a  life  of  repentance  j 
and  such  as  needeth  not  to  be  repented  of.  While 
the  vessel  is  leaking,  the  pump  may  be  going. 
Reader,  it  is  an  unfavourable  symptom,  if  you  can 
wipe  away  tears  from  your  eyes  before  God  has 
washed  away  guilt  from  your  conscience.  Is  it 
not  better  travelling  to  heaven  sadly,  than  to  hell 
securely  9  Give  me  a  sorrowful  saint,  rather  than 
a  merry  sinner. 

Did  the  rocks  rend  when  Christ  died  for  sin  ? 
and  shall  not  our  hearts  rend  for  having  lived  in 
sin?  If  we  confess  our  sin,  he  is  faithful  and  just 
to  forgive  us  our  sin ;  ajid  to  cleanse  us  from  all 
unrighteousness.  Did  ever  words  like  these  drop 
from  the  lips  of  any  being,  except  God's?  Here, 
the  sinner  is  desired  only  to  acknowledge  the  debt, 
and  the  bond  shall  be  cancelled.     Is  it  not  there- 


IS  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  70 

fore  better  to  be  saved  by  divine  mercy,  than  to  be 
sued  by  divine  justice  ?  As  soon  as  we  are  oppress- 
ed,  and  groan  under  our  own  burdens,  we  are  sure 
to  be  eased  by  Christ's  shoulders.  If  we  remember 
our  offences  with  unfeigned  grief,  the  offended 
Lord  joyfully  forgives  and  forgets  them  all. 

Where  misery  passes  undiscerned,  there  mercy 
passes  undesired.  Christ  may  knock  long  at  such 
doors,  before  he  gains  admittance.  He  only  enters 
into  those,  who  enter  into  themselves.  Behold,  I 
stand  at  the  door  and  knock.  Christ  oftener  comes 
to  the  door,  than  he  enters  the  house.  As  we  knock 
at  his  door  for  audience,  so  he  does  at  our's  for 
entrance.  If  his  person  be  shut  out,  our  prayers 
will  be  shut  out.  Why  should  God  shew  him 
mercy,  who  never  acknowledged  himself  guilty? 
A  saint's  tears  are  better  than  a  sinner's  triumphs. 
Bernard  saith,  Lachrymce  pcEnitentium  sunt  vinum 
angelorum.  '  The  tears  of  penitents  are  the  wine 
of  angels.' 

When  a  sinner  repents,  the  angels  rejoice  :  and 
give  me  such  a  mourning  on  earth,  as  creates  music 
in  heaven.  Many  are  battered  as  lead  by  the 
hammer,  who  were  never  bettered  as  gold  by  the 
fire.  Sometimes,  that  repentance  which  begins  in 
the  fears  of  hell,  ends  in  the  flames  of  hell. 

9.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  keep  his  heart  the  lowest,  when  God 
raises  his  estates  the  highest. 

St.  Paul  saw  the  need  of  this,  when  he  enjoined 
Timothy  to  charge  those  that  were  rich  in  this 
world  not  to  be  high-minded,  nor  trust  in  uncertain 
riches.     Sinful  arrogance  usually  attends  creature 


80  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

confidence.  Worldly  wealthiness  is  a  quill  to  swell 
the  bladder  of  high  mindedness  :  for  when  men's 
estates  are  lifted  np,  it  is  but  too  common  for  men's 
hearts  to  be  puffed  up.  Oh !  how  fond  is  thin 
dust  of  thick  clay !  Pride  breeds  in  great  estates, 
as  worms  do  in  sweet  fruits. 

Remember,  Christian,  if  you  be  poor  in  the 
world,  you  should  be  rich  in  faith  j  and  if  you  be 
rich  in  this  world,  you  should  be  poor  in  spirit. 
The  way  to  ascend,  is  to  descend  j  the  deeper  a 
tree  roots,  the  wider  do  its  branches  spread.  The 
sun  of  prosperity  shines  the  clearest  in  the  sphere 
of  humility.  The  true  nobility  of  the  mind  consists 
in  the  humbleness  of  the  mind.  Consider,  that  as 
none  have  so  little,  but  they  have  great  cause  to 
bless  God ;  so  none  have  so  much,  as  to  have  the 
least  cause  to  boast  before  God. 

Shall  the  theatrical  vagrant  be  proud  of  his  bor- 
rowed robes,  or  the  mud  wall  swell  because  the 
beams  of  a  beautiful  sun  shine  upon  it  ?  Gold  in 
your  bags  may  make  you  great  ■  but  it  is  grace 
in  your  hearts  which  makes  you  good.  Good- 
ness, without  greatness,  shall  be  esteemed  j  when 
greatness,  without  goodness,  shall  be  confounded. 
Proud  sinners  are  the  fittest  companions  for  proud 
devils.  The  more  prosperity  man  enjoys,  the  more 
humility  God  enjoins. 

Nature  teaches  us,  that  those  trees  bend  the 
most  freely,  which  bear  the  most  fully.  As  a 
proud  heart  loves  none  but  itself  j  so  it  is  beloved 
by  none  but  itself.  Who  would  attempt  to  gain 
those  pinnacles,  that  none  have  ascended  without 
fears,  or  descended  without  falls  ?    It  is  recorded  of 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  81 

Timotheus  the  Athenian,  that  when  he  was  giving 
an  account  of  his  government  and  successes  to  the 
state,  he  frequently  asserted  with  a  vaunting  air, 
'  in  this  fortune  had  no  hand.'  After  this  he  never 
prospered,  was  quickly  after  disgraced,  and  died  in 
exile.  When  men  through  daring  pride  cast  oft 
all  allegiance  to  God,  he  in  just  derision  casts  them 
out  from  the  inheritance  of  God.  If  we  refuse 
to  acknowledge  him,  he  will  refuse  to  acknow- 
ledge us. 

It  is  reported  of  Philip  of  Macedon,  that  after 
having  obtained  the  honour  of  an  unexpected  vic- 
tory, he  was  observed  to  look  very  much  dejected  j 
on  being  asked  the  reason,  he  replied,  '  that  the 
honours  which  were  obtained  by  the  sword,  might 
also  be  lost  by  the  sword.'  Was  he  pensive,  when 
providence  crowned  him  with  victory  ?  and  shall 
we  be  vainly  elated,  when  providence  makes  us 
wealthy  ?  The  Supreme  Majesty  cannot  suff"er  us 
to  glory  in  any  but  Himself  j  therefore,  when  we 
glory  in  our  pride,  he  stains  the  pride  of  our  glory. 
It  is  a  difficult  matter  to  be  grand  in  the  estima- 
tion of  others,  and  base  in  our  own.  The  face  of 
no  mere  man  ever  shone  so  illustriously  as  that  of 
the  ancient  Jewish  lawgiver's  -,  and  yet  it  is  affirm- 
ed that  no  man's  heart  was  ever  so  meek  :  but 
most  men  resemble  chameleons  •  which  no  sooner 
take  in  the  air,  than  they  begin  to  swell. 

As  that  is  a  rebellious  heart,  in  which  sin  is 
allowed  to  reign  ;  so  that  is  not  a  very  enlarg- 
ed heart,  which  the  world  can  fill.  Alas,  what 
will  it  profit  us  to  sail  before  the  pleasing  gales  of 
prosperity,  if  we  be  afterwards  overset  by  the  gusts 


82 


THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 


of  vanity  ?  Your  bags  of  gold  should  be  ballast  in 
your  vessel  to  keep  her  always  steady,  instead  of 
being  topsails  to  your  masts  to  make  your  vessel 
giddy.  Give  me  that  distinguished  person,  vrho  is 
rather  pressed  down  under  the  weight  of  all  his 
honours,  than  puffed  up  with  the  blast  thereof. 

It  has  been  observed  by  those  who  are  experi- 
enced in  the  sport  of  angling,  that  the  smallest 
fishes  bite  the  fastest.  Oh,  how  few  great  men  do 
we  find  so  much  as  nibbling  at  the  gospel  hook ! 
I  will  get  me  unto  the  great  men,  and  will  speak 
unto  them,  for  they  have  known  the  way  of  the 
Lord,  and  the  judgment  of  their  God :  but  these 
have  altogether  broken  the  yoke,  and  burst  the 
bonds.  Mercy  favoured  them,  but  gratitude  could 
not  bind  them. 

When  King  James's  tutor  lay  upon  his  expiring 
pillow,  his  Majesty  sent  to  enquire  how  he  did  : — 
*  Go  tell,'  saith  he,  *  my  royal  sovereign,  that  I  am 
going  where  few  kings  go.'  The  tree  of  life  is 
not  often  planted  in  a  terrestrial  paradise.  Under 
the  Levitical  law,  the  lamb  and  the  dove  were  of- 
fered in  sacrifice,  when  the  lion  and  the  eagle  were 
rejected.  The  shining  diamond  of  a  great  estate, 
may  frequently  be  found  upon  an  unsound  and 
idolatrous  heart.  Prosperity  is  not  to  be  deemed 
the  greatest  security.  The  lofty  unbending  cedar 
is  more  exposed  to  the  injurious  blast,  than  the 
lowly  shrub.  The  little  pinnace  rides  safely  along 
the  shore,  while  the  gallant  ship  advancing  is 
wrecked.  Those  sheep  which  have  the  most  wool, 
are  generally  the  soonest  fleeced.  Poverty  is  its 
own  defence  against  robbery.     A  fawning  world 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  83 

is  worse  than  a  frowning  world.  Who  would 
shake  those  trees  upon  which  there  is  no  fruit  ? 

Many  think  to  be  saved^  because  they  are  poor  j 
and  others,  because  they  are  rich  3  but  these  are 
all  capitally  mistaken  j  for  numbers  of  the  former 
are  not  saved,  and  not  many  of  the  latter  will  be 
saved.  Not  many  wise  men  after  the  Jtesh,  not 
many  mighty,  not  many  noble,  are  called.  You 
nobles,  I  call  you  to  see,  that  not  many  nobles  are 
called.  He  does  not  say,  not  any,  but  not  many. 
Blessed  be  God,  we  can  say  of  them,  as  Luther 
once  said  of  Elizabeth,  a  pious  queen  of  Denmark, 
'  Christ  will  sometimes  carry  a  queen  to  heaven.' 
Rich  men  are  choice  dishes  at  God's  table. 

Some  people,  when  their  estates  are  low,  their 
hearts  are  high :  but  true  believers,  when  their 
estates  are  high,  their  hearts  are  low.  What  an 
excellent  commendation  does  the  beloved  Prophet 
of  Israel  give  the  beloved  Prince  of  Israel :  Then 
went  King  David  in,  and  sat  before  the  Lord,  and 
said.  Who  am  I,  0  Lord  God,  and  what  is  my  house, 
that  thou  hast  brought  me  hitherto  ?  The  weighty 
clusters  of  mercy  completely  bowed  the  branches 
of  this  royal  vine.  He  does  not  contend  with  God 
for  mercies  denied  ;  but  he  adores  him  for  mercies 
granted.  The  eye  of  his  humility  views  the  grace 
of  God,  and  then  he  is  thankful :  it  also  views  the 
folly  of  his  heart,  and  this  makes  him  mournful. 

Theodosius  deemed  it  more  honourable  to  be  a 
member  of  the  church,  than  a  monarch  of  the 
world ;  and  so  did  King  David.  Ah  !  what  wilt 
thou  set  thy  heart  upon  that  which  is  not  ?  For 
every  thing  will  come  to  nothing,  but  He  who 


84  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

formed  all  things  out  of  nothing.  Many  think  it 
must  go  well  with  them  hereafter,  because  it  is  so 
well  with  them  here  :  as  if  silver  and  gold,  which 
came  out  of  the  bowels  of  the  earth,  would  carry 
them  to  the  bosom  of  the  God  of  heaven.  Though 
the  gates  of  heaven  will  open  to  admit  the  heaven- 
born  soul  3  yet  they  are  not  unlocked  with  a  golden 
key.  A  man  may  bask  in  the  beams  of  prosperity 
now,  and  yet  burn  in  the  flames  of  eternity  with 
infidels  hereafter. 

The  worm  of  pride  is  always  injurious  to  celes- 
tial plants  :  either  this  vice  must  be  shut  out  on 
earth,  or  we  shall  be  shut  out  in  heaven.  The 
bowing  reed  of  an  humble  mind  shall  be  preserved 
entire  ;  while  the  sturdy  oak  of  a  proud  lofty  mind 
shall  be  broken  to  shivers.  A  proud  person  thinks 
every  thing  too  much  that  is  done  by  him,  and 
every  thing  too  little  that  is  done  for  him.  God 
is  as  far  from  pleasing  him  with  his  gifts,  as  he  is 
from  pleasing  God  with  his  works.  Remember 
what  the  observant  prophet  Habakkuk  declares : 
Behold,  his  soul  which  is  lifted  up  in  him  is  not  up- 
right. Observe,  he  introduces  the  subject  with  a 
Behold:  he  that  lifts  up  himself,  is  not  lifted  up  of 
God.  I  will  not  say,  a  good  man  is  never  proud  j 
but  I  will  say,  a  proud  man  is  never  good. 

10.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  seek  to  be  better  inwardly  in  his  sub- 
stance, than  outwardly  in  appearance. 

This  is  a  business  which  no  hypocrite  chooses  to 
be  employed  in  :  he  prefers  varnish  to  massy  gold. 
It  little  concerns  him  how  much  the  house  be  in- 
fected with  the  leprosy,  so  it  be  but  outwardly 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  85 

fail*  to  human  inspection.  He  forgets  that,  he  is 
not  a  Jew  who  is  one  outwardly ;  neither  is  that 
circumcision  which  is  outward  in  the  Jlesh ;  but  he 
is  a  Jew  who  is  one  inwardhj ;  and  circumcision  is 
that  of  the  heart,  in  the  spirit. 

Formality  frequently  takes  its  dwelling  near  the 
chambers  of  integrity,  and  so  assumes  its  name  j 
the  soul  not  suspecting  that  hell  should  make  so 
near  an  approach  to  heaven.  A  rotten  post,  though 
covered  with  gold,  is  more  fit  to  be  burned  in  the 
fire,  than  for  the  building  of  a  fabric.  Where  there 
is  a  pure  conscience,  there  will  be  a  pure  conversa- 
tion. The  dial  of  our  faces  does  not  infallibly  shew 
the  time  of  day  in  our  hearts.  The  humblest  looks 
may  enamel  the  former,  while  unbounded  pride  go- 
verns the  latter.  Unclean  spirits  may  inhabit  the 
chamber,  when  they  look  not  out  at  the  window. 

An  hypocrite  may  be  both  the  fairest  and  the 
foulest  creature  in  the  world-  he  may  be  fairest 
outwardly  in  the  eyes  of  man,  and  foulest  inwardly 
in  the  sight  of  God.  How  commonly  do  such 
unclean  swans  cover  their  black  jlesh  with  their 
white  feathers !  Though  such  wear  the  mantle  of 
Samuel,  they  should  bear  the  name  of  Satan. 

Many  appear  righteous,  who  are  only  righteous 
in  appearance :  but  while  they  are  deceiving  others 
with  the  false  shews  of  holiness,  they  are  also 
deceiving  themselves  with  the  false  hopes  of  hap- 
piness. The  hypocrite  would  not  willingly  seem 
evil,  and  yet  would  inwardly  be  soj  he  would  fain 
be  accounted  good,  and  yet  would  not  be  so.  O 
man,  either  appear  what  you  are,  or  be  what  you 
appear.     What  will  the  form  of  godliness  do  for 


86  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOK 

you,  if  you  deny  the  power  thereof?  Ovm  tJiiSy  or 
God  will  disown  thee.  Those  who  have  the  power 
of  godliness,  cannot  deny  the  form  j  while  those 
who  have  the  form,  may  deny  the  power. 

Hypocrites  resemble  looking-glasses,  which  pre- 
sent the  faces  that  are  not  in  them.  Oh,  how 
desirous  are  men  to  put  the  fairest  gloves  upon 
the  foulest  hands ;  and  the  finest  paint  upon  the 
rottenest  posts !  To  counterfeit  the  coin  of  hea- 
ven, is  to  commit  treason  against  the  King  of 
heaven.  AVho  would  spread  a  curious  cloth  upon 
a  dusty  table  ? 

If  a  mariner  set  sail  in  an  unsound  bottom,  he 
may  reasonably  expect  to  lose  his  voyage.  No 
wise  virgin  would  carry  a  lamp  without  light.  O 
professor,  either  get  the  latter,  or  part  with  the 
former.  None  are  so  black  in  the  eyes  of  the  De- 
ity, as  those  who  paint  for  spirit  spiritual  beauty. 

Some  persons  are  better  in  show  than  in  sub- 
stance ;  but  not  so  with  true  Christians  :  they  are 
not  like  painted  tombs,  which  inclose  decayed 
bones.  The  king's  daughter  is  all  glorious  within^ 
She  is  all  glorious  within  •  though  within  is  not 
all  her  glory.  That  is  a  sad  charge,  which  the 
God  of  truth  brings  against  certain  false  profes- 
sors :  I  know  the  blaspJiemy  of  them  who  say  they 
are  Jews,  and,  are  not ;  hut  are  the  synagogue  of 
Satan,  A  false  friend  is  worse  than  an  open  ene- 
my. A  painted  harlot  is  less  dangerous  than  a 
painted  hypocrite.  A  treacherous  Judas  is  more 
abhorred  of  God  than  a  bloody  Pilate. 

Christians !  remember  the  sheep's  cloathing  will 
soon  be  stripped  from  the  wolfs  back.    The  velvet 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  87 

plaster  of  profession  shall  not  always  conceal  the 
oftensive  ulcer  of  corruption.  Neither  the  ship  of 
formality  nor  hypocrisy  will  carry  one  person  to  the 
harbour  of  felicity.  The  blazing  lamps  of  foolish 
virgins  may  light  them  to  the  bridegroom's  gate, 
but  not  into  his  chamber.  Either  get  the  nature 
of  Christ  within  you,  or  take  not  the  honours  of 
Christians  upon  you. 

Oh,  what  vanity  is  it  to  lop  off  the  boughs,  and 
leave  the  roots  which  can  send  forth  more  3  or  to 
empty  the  cistern,  and  leave  the  fountain  running 
which  can  soon  fill  it  again  !  Such  may  swim  in 
the  water  as  the  visible  church ;  but  when  the  net 
is  drawn  to  shore,  they  must  be  thrown  away  as 
bad  fishes.  Though  the  tares  and  the  wheat  may 
grow  in  the  field  together,  yet  they  will  not  be 
housed  in  the  granary  together. 

How  pious  and  devout  did  the  pliarisees  appear 
before  men  1  They  concluded  them  to  be  the  only 
saints  upon  earth.  They  judged  the  inward  man 
by  the  outward  :  but  not  so  with  the  heart-search- 
ing God  J  for.  He  said  unto  them,  Ye  are  they 
which  justify  yourselves  before  men,  but  God  knoW' 
eth  your  hearts :  for  that  which  is  highly  esteemed 
among  men,  is  abomination  in  the  sight  of  God. 
That  sepulchre  is  not  always  the  repository  of 
gold,  which  is  outwardly  garnished.  Herod  was 
a  God  in  the  esteem  of  the  people,  when  he  was 
but  a  fiend  in  the  sight  of  the  Lord  5  they  adored 
him,  he  destroyed  him. 

A  man's  conversation  may  be  civilized,  when 
his  heart  is  not  evangelized.  There  is  as  much 
dift'erence  between  nature  restrained  and  nature 


88  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

renewed,  as  between  the  glimmering  of  a  glow- 
worm and  tlie  splendour  of  the  noonday  sun.  A 
bad  man  is  certainly  worst,  when  he  is  seemingly 
best.  We  must  not  account  every  one  a  soldier, 
who  swaggers  with  a  sword.  A  rusty  scymitar 
may  frequently  be  found  in  a  highly-trimmed  scab- 
bard. What  is  it  to  have  our  hands  as  white  as 
snow,  if  our  hearts  be  as  black  as  the  bottomless 
pit?  Such  professors  resemble  curious  bubbles, 
smooth  and  clear  without,  yet  only  filled  with  air. 

A  man  may  wear  the  Saviour's  livery,  and  yet 
be  busied  in  Satan's  drudgery.  The  skin  of  an 
apple  may  be  fair,  when  it  is  rotten  at  the  core. 
Though  all  gold  may  glitter,  yet  all  is  not  gold 
that  glitters.  The  errantest  hypocrite  may  have 
the  colour  of  gold,  but  not  the  value  of  gold. 
What  comparison  is  there  between  the  gilt  tun 
filled  with  air,  and  the  homely  vessel  filled  with 
generous  wine  ? 

^^ery  few  deceivers  duly  weigh  that  notable  say- 
ing of  the  wise  man  :  He  that  ivalketh  uprightly, 
walketh  surely :  but  he  that  perverteth  his  ways 
shall  be  known.  He  that  promises  to  cover  the 
Christian's  infirmities,  threatens  also  to  disclose  the 
antichristian's  impieties.  Well  would  it  be  for 
such  to  remember  that  arch-traitor  Judas,  who 
purchased  nothing  by  his  deceitful  dealings,  but  a 
halter  for  his  body,  in  which  he  w^as  hanged  j  and 
fire  for  his  soul,  in  which  he  is  burning. 

1 1 .  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  be  more  abided  at  the  distresses  of  the 
church,  than  affected  at  his  own  happiiiess. 

When  we  sufter  not  from  the  enemies  of  Christ 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  89 

by  persecution,  we  should  then  siiflfer  for  the  friends 
of  Christ  by  compassion.  Let  not  Sion's  sons  be 
rejoicing,  while  their  mother  is  mourning :  Are  not 
her  breaches  like  the  sea,  and  there  is  none  to  heal 
her  ?  If  her  breaches  be  irreparable,  our  hearts 
should  be  inconsolable.  It  is  observed  of  doves, 
that  if  one  be  sick,  the  other  laments  :  yea,  the 
savage  beasts  will  mourn  over  the  afflicted  crea- 
tures of  their  own  species  :  and  shall  that  be  lost 
among  men,  which  is  found  among  beasts? 

Christianity  never  was  designed  to  strip  men  of 
humanity.  Reader,  can  you  see  the  church  bleed- 
ing, and  never  ask  balm  for  her  wounds  ?  How 
can  you  rejoice  when  she  stands,  if  you  do  not 
mourn  when  she  falls  ?  It  rejoiced  impious  Nero 
to  see  the  Christians  burning ;  but  it  should  wound 
us  to  hear  of  it.  The  cruel  massacre  of  the  Judean 
infants  was  a  pleasant  sight  to  bloody  Herod. 

We  may  justly  prefer  that  charge  against  many 
nominal  Christians,  Avhich  God  did  against  nominal 
Israel :  They  drink  wine  in  bowls,  and  anoint  them- 
selves with  the  chief  ointment;  but  they  are  not 
grieved  for  the  affliction  of  Joseph. 

Many  can  weep  a  flood  for  the  groans  of  a  child  3 
but  they  cannot  drop  a  tear  for  the  groans  of  the 
church.  Their  love  to  relations  transcends  their 
love  to  religion.  He  that  has  property  on  board 
the  church's  ship,  cannot  but  be  alarmed  at  every 
storm.  I  conclude  that  to  be  a  silver  eye  in  the 
spiritual  head,  and  a  wooden  leg  in  the  spiritual 
body,  that  is  insensible  to  all  its  sorrows.  That 
man  who  has  no  compassion  for  afflicted  Chris- 
tians, may  rest  persuaded  that  God  will  have  no 
I  3 


90  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

compassion  on  him.  His  language  will  be,  De' 
part,  ye  cursed  :  for  I  was  hungry,  and  ye  fed  me 
not ;  sick,  and  in  prison,  and  ye  visited  me  not. 

The  enemies  of  the  church  may  toss  her  as 
waves  J  but  they  shall  not  split  her  as  rocks.  She 
may  be  dipped  in  water  as  n.  feather ;  but  shall  not 
sink  therein  as  lead.  He  that  is  a  well  of  water 
within  her,  to  keep  her  from  fainting,  will  also 
prove  a  wall  of  fire  about  her,  to  preserve  her  from 
falling.  Tried  she  may  be  j  but  destroyed  she  can- 
not be.  Her  foundation  is  the  Rock  of  Ages,  and 
her  defence  the  everlasting  Arms.  It  is  only  such 
fabrics  as  are  bottomed  upon  the  sand,  that  are 
overthrown  by  the  wind.  The  adversaries  of  God's 
people  will  push  at  them  as  far  as  their  horns  will 
go  J  but  when  they  have  scoured  them  by  prosecu- 
tion as  tarnished  vessels,  then  God  will  throw  such 
whisps  into  the  fire. 

Many  w^ould  rather  see  the  church's  expiration, 
than  her  reformation :  it  would  afford  them  more 
pleasure  to  find  her  nullified,  than  purified  3  for 
they  suppose  that  happiness  increases,  in  proportion 
as  holiness  decreases.  Christian !  when  persecutors 
make  long  furrows  upon  the  saint's  back,  then  we 
should  cast  in  the  seed  of  sympathetic  tears.  Saul 
made  the  Saviour  feel,  before  he  opened  his  com- 
mission to  apprehend  his  members  at  Damascus. 
Saul,  Saul,  why  persecutest  thou  me  ?  Thus  the 
head  cries  out  in  heaven,  while  the  toe  is  trod 
upon  on  earth. 

Though  Jesus  Christ  has  altered  his  condition, 
yet  he  hath  not  changed  his  affection.  Death  took 
away  his  life  for  us  5    but  not  his  love  from  us. 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  91 

He  that  washed  away  the  blood  of  guilt  from 
our  hearts,  will  soon  wipe  away  those  briny  tears 
that  disfigure  our  cheeks.  He  who  paid  so  great 
a  price  for  our  redemption,  will  not  resign  us  into 
the  hands  of  our  cruel  tormentors.  Comfort  ye, 
comfort  ye  my  people,  saith  your  God :  speak  ye 
comfortably  to  Jerusalem,  and  cry  unto  her,  that 
her  warfare  is  accomplished,  that  her  iniquity  is 
pardoned.  If  the  Father  of  mercies  thus  proclaim 
pardon  to  returning  prodigals,  we  may  expect 
soon  to  hear  of  music  and  rejoicing  among  all  the 
heavenly  harpers. 

When  we  see  the  church  pledging  her  beloved 
in  the  cup  of  affliction,  we  should  then  drink  to 
her  in  the  cup  of  consolation.  A  heavy  burden 
may  easily  be  borne  by  the  assistance  of  many 
shoulders.  Some  are  like  Gallic  j  they  care  for 
none  of  those  things ;  nay,  when  they  should  be 
sympathizers,  they  are  censurers.  They  conclude 
that  the  gold  is  not  good,  because  it  is  tried  j  and 
that  the  ground  is  naught,  because  it  is  ploughed. 
They  wound  those  with  the  arrows  of  reproach, 
whom  God  has  only  corrected  with  the  rod  of 
reproof. 

It  is  dangerous  to  smite  those  with  our  tongues, 
whom  God  has  smitten  with  his  hand.  His  right 
to  correct  is  not  our's.  Because  Christ  sufl'ered 
for  transgressors,  many  numbered  him  with  trans- 
gressors :  but  that  was  to  give  him  the  sharpest 
vinegar,  when  they  should  have  given  him  the 
sweetest  wine.  Pour  out  thine  indignation  upon 
them,  and  let  thy  wrathful  anger  take  hold  of  them. 
Why,  David  ?     For  they  persecute  them  whom  thou 


92  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

hast  smitten ;  and  they  talk  to  the  grief  of  those 
whom  thou  hast  wounded. 

Sympathy  is  a  debt  we  owe  to  sufferers.  For 
Christians  to  be  rejoicing  when  their  brethren  are 
weeping,  is  like  putting  silver-lace  upon  a  mourn- 
ing suit.  Our  own  particular  losses  and  distresses 
resemble  the  extinguishing  of  a  candle,  which  only 
occasions  darkness  in  one  room :  but  the  general 
distresses  of  the  church  are  like  the  eclipsing  of  the 
sun,  which  overshadows  the  whole  hemisphere. 
Pliny  informs  us  of  two  goats  meeting  together  on 
a  narrow  bridge,  where  neither  of  them  could 
either  proceed  or  recede ;  at  last  one  of  them  lay 
down,  that  the  other  might  go  over  him.  How 
much  of  the  man  Avas  there  in  those  beasts ;  and 
how  much  of  the  beast  is  there  in  some  men  ! 

It  is  certainly  better  to  be  in  the  humble  posture 
of  a  mourner,  than  in  the  proud  gesture  of  a  scorn- 
er.  The  woman  of  Canaan  could  not  rest,  while 
her  daughter  was  restless  :  the  torture  of  one,  was 
the  torment  of  the  other  :  but  a  word  from  Jesus 
relieved  them  both.  Sympathy  renders  a  doleful 
state  more  joyful.  Alexander  refused  water  in  a 
time  of  great  scarcity,  because  there  was  not 
enough  for  his  whole  army. 

It  should  be  among  Christians,  as  among  hite- 
strings,  when  one  is  touched  the  others  tremble. 
Believers  should  be  neither  proud  flesh,  nor  dead 
flesh.  Fellow"  members  should  ever  have  fellow 
feelings.  Other  men's  woes  are  our  warnings  : — 
their  desolation  should  be  our  information. 

Jeremiah  suffered  not  in  his  own  person,  being 
under  the  protection  of  the  Divine  Being  :    but 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  93 

though  he  dwelt  securely  from  the  hand  of  mor- 
tality, yet  he  was  filled  with  the  bowels  of  sympa- 
thy. Though  he  wrote  of  the  Jews  desolations, 
yet  he  named  them  Jeremialis  Lamentations. 

J  2.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  render  the  greatest  good  for  the  greatest 
evil. 

Mariners  look  for  a  storm  at  sea,  when  the  wa- 
ters begin  to  utter  a  murmuring  noise.  Theodo- 
sius  the  emperor,  being  urged  to  execute  one  who 
had  reviled  him,  answered,  *  So  far  from  gratifying 
your  wish  5  were  it  in  my  power,  if  he  were  dead, 
I  would  raise  him  to  life  again  •  rather  than,  being 
alive,  to  put  him  to  death.' 

He  makes  a  good  market  of  bad  commodities, 
who  with  kindnesses  overcomes  injuries.  For  a 
man  to  conquer  another's  person,  and  be  captivated 
by  his  own  passions,  is  but  to  lose  the  palace  of  a 
prince  to  gain  the  cottage  of  a  peasant.  A  spark 
of  fire  falling  in  the  ocean,  expires  immediately : 
but  dropping  upon  combustibles,  burns  furiously. 
God  has  bound  eveiy  believer  in  gospel  cords  to 
his  good  behaviour. 

A  carnal  man  may  love  his  friends,  but  it  is  a 
Christian  man  that  loves  his  enemies.  But  I  say 
unto  you,  love  your  enemies ;  bless  them  that  curse 
you,  do  good  to  them  that  hate  you,  and  pray  for 
them  that  despitefully  use  you  and  persecute  you. 
He  calls  to  patience,  who  is  patience  itself ;  and  he 
that  gives  the  precept,  enforces  it  by  his  own  ex- 
ample. It  is  unnatural  to  hate  them  that  love  us  : 
and  it  is  supernatural  to  love  them  that  hate  us. 
A  sinner  can  do  much  evil,  but  he  can  suffer  none  ; 
a  saint  can  suffer  much  evil,  but  he  will  do  none. 


94  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

He  that  takes  up  fire  to  throw  at  his  adversaries, 
is  in  great  danger  of  burning  his  own  fingers.  A 
gun  ill  charged,  instead  of  hitting  the  mark,  does 
but  recoil  on  him  that  discharges  it.  He  who  glo- 
ries in  wounding  others,  will  finally  wound  himself. 
If  injuries  be  our  enemies'  weapons,  forgiveness 
should  be  ours.  How  many  have  had  their  blood 
seen,  because  they  would  not  have  their  backs  seen. 
Men's  actions  towards  others,  are  generally  excus- 
ed by  others'  actions  towards  them.  There  is  a 
two-fold  frenzy  3  that  of  the  head,  w^hich  deprives 
men  of  prudence ;  and  that  of  the  heart,  which 
deprives  them  of  their  patience.  To  forget  an  in- 
jury, is  more  than  nature  can  promise ;  but  to  for- 
give it,  is  what  grace  can  perform.  Patience  affords 
us  a  shield  to  defend  ourselves  3  but  innocence  de- 
nies us  a  sword  to  offend  others.  If  ever  you  hope 
that  your  charity  should  live  after  you,  then  let 
resentment  die  before  you. 

It  is  written  in  the  law  of  Mahomet,  that  God 
made  angels  of  light,  and  devils  of  flame.  Sure  I 
am,  that  they  are  of  hellish  constitutions,  who  play 
off  the^re-works  of  contention.  Be  ye  angry,  and 
sin  not.  Anger  should  not  be  a  burning  coal  from 
Satan  s  furnace ;  but  a  blazing  coal  from  God's 
altar.  It  should  resemble  fire  in  straw  3  which  is 
as  easily  quenched,  as  suddenly  kindled.  He  that 
would  be  angry  and  not  sin,  must  be  angry  at  no- 
thing but  sin.  Let  not  the  sun  go  down  upon  your 
wrath,  neither  give  place  to  the  devil.  He  that 
carries  passions  to  bed  with  him,  will  find  the  de- 
vil creep  between  the  sheets  :  and  why  should  we 
give  place  to  him,  who  crowds  in  so  fast  himself? 

O  man,  shall  thy  life  be  mortal,  and  thy  wrath 


IX  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  95 

immortal  ?  Should  we  not  give  place  to  an  offend- 
ing brother,  rather  than  to  a  designing  murderer? 
How  many  are  there  who  profess  to  forgive,  but 
cannot  forget,  an  injuiy  !  Such  are  like  persons 
who  sweep  the  chamber,  but  leave  the  dust  behind 
the  door.  Whenever  we  grant  our  offending 
brethren  a  discharge,  our  hearts  also  should  set 
their  hands  to  the  acquittance. 

We  should  not  only  break  the  teeth  of  malice 
hy forgiveness,  but  pluck  out  its  sting  hy  forgetful- 
ness.  To  store  our  memories  with  a  sense  of  in- 
juries, is  to  fill  that  chest  with  rusty  iron,  which 
was  made  for  refined  gold.  The  pot  of  malice 
should  not  stand  upon  the  fire  till  it  boils  over. 
Christian,  can  you  expect  better  treatment  in  the 
world,  than  he  who  was  better  than  the  world  ? 

When  Aristides,  the  Athenian  general,  sat  to 
arbitrate  a  difference  between  two  persons,  one  of 
them  said,  '  This  fellow  accused  thee  at  such  a 
time.'  To  whom  Aristides  answered,  '  I  sit,  not 
to  hear  what  he  has  done  against  me,  but  against 
thee.'  How  should  a  Christian  shine,  if  an  hea- 
then give  such  light!  Jf  therefore  thine  enemy 
hunger,  feed  him;  if  he  thirst,  give  him  drink ;  for 
in  so  doing  thou  shalt  heap  coals  of  fire  on  his  head. 
Not  the  coals  of  vengeance  to  consume  him,  but 
the  coals  of  kindness  to  soften  him. 

Jesus  was  an  intercessor  both  in  his  life  and 
death  j  his  dying  breath  was  praying  breath,  and 
that  not  only  for  his  sorrowful  disciples,  but  for 
his  enraged  murderers  also.  Father,  forgive  them, 
for  they  know  not  what  they  do.  Thus  he  gave 
them  the  best  wine  for  the  bitterest  gall.  The 
Lord  Jesus  spreads  a  large  table  every  day,  and 


96  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

the  major  part  who  feed  thereat  are  his  eneniiea. 
The  wolf  also  shall  dwell  with  the  lamb,  and  the 
leopard  shall  lie  down  with  the  kid ;  and  the  calf, 
and  the  young  lion,  and  the  falling  together,  and  a 
little  child  shall  lead  them.  The  Lord  Jesus  can 
both  tame  the  most  cruel  beast,  and  quench  the 
most  raging  lust. 

None  but  a  patient  Christ  can  make  us  patient 
Christians.  As  our  passions  were  the  cause  of  his, 
so  his  passion  is  the  cure  of  ours.  Reader,  if  you 
cannot  forgive  others,  God  will  not  forgive  you. 
You  have  his  own  authority  for  this  :  For  if  ye 
forgive  men  their  trespasses,  your  heavenly  Father 
will  forgive  you ;  but  if  ye  forgive  not  men  their 
trespasses,  neither  will  your  heavenly  Father  for- 
give your  trespasses.  In  vain  do  we  ask  God  to  be 
pacified  to  us^  while  we  live  at  variance  with  others. 
How  can  we  expect  to  have  pounds  remitted  to  us, 
if  pence  are  not  remitted  by  us  ? 

I  have  read  of  a  person  who  imbrued  his  hands 
in  his  own  blood,  because  they  were  too  short  to 
reach  his  enemy's.  Poor  revenge  !  How  repug- 
nant was  this  to  the  apostolic  advice :  Dearly  be- 
loved, avenge  not  yourselves,  hut  rather  give  place 
unto  wrath.  This  was  the  conduct  of  dying  Ste- 
phen :  Jnd  he  kneeled  down  and  prayed  with  a  loud 
voice,  Lord,  lay  not  this  sin  to  their  charge.  Could 
living  men  do  worse  to  a  dying  man,  or  a  dying 
man  pray  better  for  living  men  ? 

To  do  evil  for  good,  is  human  corruption  -,  to 
do  good  for  good,  is  civil  retribution  ;  but  to  do 
good  for  evil,  is  Christian  perfection.  Though  this 
be  not  the  grace  of  nature,  yet  it  is  the  nature  of 
grace. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  97 

^V^len  Shiniei  cursed  David  in  his  distress,  Abis- 
hai  was  for  an  immediate  retaliation.  Shall  I  take 
off  the  head  of  this  dead  dog ;  for  why  should  he 
curse  mij  Lord  the  King  ?  What  was  David's  an- 
swer ?  So  let  him  curse,  because  the  Lord  hath  said 
unto  him,  Curse  David.  He  was  so  far  from  tak- 
ing off  his  head,  that  he  does  not  even  attempt  to 
shut  his  mouth.  The  shoulders  of  charity  are  able 
to  carry  the  burden  of  injury,  without  either  being 
moved  with  violence,  or  removed  from  patience. 

Though  God  suffer  not  his  people  to  sin  in 
avenging  their  enemies,  yet  he  suffers  not  the  sin 
of  their  enemies  to  go  unavenged.  Vengeance  is 
mine,  I  will  repay,  saith  the  Lord.  *  Anger  rest- 
eth  in  the  bosom  of  fools.'  Where  there  is  the 
most  indignation,  there  is  the  least  discretion.  No 
men  do  more  readily  brook  insults  from  others, 
than  such  as  have  learned  to  despise  themselves. 
Make  not  an  enemy  of  your  friend,  by  returning 
evil  for  good ;  but  make  a  friend  of  your  enemy, 
by  returning  him  good  for  evil. 

1 2 .  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is,  To  take  those  reproofs  best  which  he  needs 
most. 

It  was  the  saying  of  an  heathen,  though  no  hea- 
thenish saying, '  That  he  who  would  be  good,  must 
either  have  a  faithful  friend  to  instruct  him,  or  a 
watchful  enemy  to  correct  him.'  Should  we  mur- 
der a  physician,  because  he  comes  to  cure  us ;  or 
like  him  worse,  because  he  would  make  us  better  ? 

The  flaming  sword  of  reprehension  is  but  to  keep 
us  from  the  forbidden  fruit  of  transgression.  Let 
the  righteous  smite  me,  and  it  shall  be  a  kindness ; 


98  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

and  let  him  reprove  me,  it  shall  be  an  excellent  oil, 
which  shall  not  break  my  head.  Let  him  smite  me 
as  with  a  hammer,  for  so  the  word  signifies.  A 
Boanerges  is  as  necessary  as  a  Barnabas. 

/4m  I  become  your  enemy,  because  I  tell  you  the 
truth  ?  Truth  is  not  always  relished,  where  sin  is 
nourished.  Light  is  pleasant ;  yet  it  may  be  of- 
fensive to  sore  eyes.  Honey  is  sweet,  though  it 
cause  the  M^ound  to  smart :  but  we  must  not  neg- 
lect the  actions  of  friends,  for  fear  of  drawing  up- 
on ourselves  the  suspicions  of  being  enemies.  It 
is  better  to  lose  the  smiles  of  men,  than  the  souls 
of  men.  Thou  shall  not  hate  thy  brother  in  thy 
heart,  nor  suffer  sin  to  lie  upon  him.  He  who 
loves  a  garment,  hates  the  moths  which  fret  it. 

Rebuke  a  wise  man,  and  he  will  love  thee ;  but 
rebuke  a  scorner,  and  he  will  hate  thee.  Reproof 
slides  from  a  scorner's  breast,  as  water  from  an 
oiled  post.  Instead  of  loving  a  man  amidst  all  his 
injuries,  he  will  hate  him  for  all  bis  civilities. 
Most  people  are  like  restive  horses,  which  no  soon- 
er feel  the  rowel,  than  they  strike  with  their  heels  j 
or  like  bees,  which  no  sooner  are  angered,  than 
they  put  out  their  stings. 

There  is  much  discretion  to  be  observed  in  re- 
prehension :  a  word  will  do  more  with  some,  than 
a  blow  with  others.  A  Venice  glass  is  not  to  be 
rubbed  so  hard  as  a  brazen  kettle.  The  tender  reed 
is  more  easily  bowed  than  the  sturdy  oak.  Christ's 
warfare  requires  no  carnal  weapons.  Dashing 
storms  do  but  destroy  the  seed,  while  gentle  show- 
ers nourish  it.  Chariots  too  furiously  driven,  may 
be  overturned  by  their  own  violence. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLliNDOUR.  99 

How  many  are  there,  who  check  passion  with 
passion  ;  and  are  very  angry  in  reproving  anger  ! 
Thus,  to  lay  one  devil,  they  raise  another;  and 
leave  more  work  to  be  undone,  than  they  found  to 
be  done.  Such  a  reproof  of  vice,  is  a  vice  to  be 
reproved.  In  reprehension,  we  should  always  be- 
ware of  carrying  our  teeth  in  our  tongues  ;  and  of 
biting  while  we  are  speaking.  A  surgeon  would 
not  be  justifiable  in  dismembering  a  body,  if  he 
could  effect  a  cure  without  it. 

Brethren,  if  any  man  be  overtaken  in  a  fault,  you 
that  are  spiritual,  restore  such  an  one  in  the  spirit 
of  meekness.  The  word  signifies,  to  set  him  in 
joint  again  3  and  to  set  a  dislocated  bone,  requires 
the  lady's  hand  3  tenderness,  as  well  as  skilfulness. 
Reprehension  is  not  an  act  of  butchery,  but  an 
act  of  surgery.  Take  heed  of  blunting  the  instru- 
ment, by  putting  too  keen  an  edge  upon  it.  Mark 
the  reason  which  the  apostle  assigns  for  gentle 
reproof :  Considering  thyself,  lest  thou  also  be 
tempted. 

If  thy  neighbour's  house  be  on  fire,  thine  own 
may  be  in  danger.  We  should  be  willing  to  lend 
mercy  at  one  time,  as  we  may  have  occasion  to 
borrow  it  at  another.  We  should  do  with  other's 
sins,  as  we  do  with  our  own  sores  -,  which,  if  a 
gentle  scar  will  produce  a  sufficient  discharge,  we 
avoid  cutting  and  slashing.  If  ravenous  birds  can 
be  frayed  away  by  a  look,  we  need  not  expend 
powder  and  shot. 

It  is  true,  open  sinners  deserve  open  censures  j 
but  private  admonitions  will  best  suit  private  of- 
fences.    VVhile  we  seek  to  heal  a  wound  in  our 


100        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOU 

brother's  actions,  we  should  be  careful  not  to  leave 
a  scar  upon  his  person.  We  give  grains  of  allow- 
ance in  all  current  coin.  That  is  a  choice  friend, 
who  conceals  our  faults  from  the  view  of  others, 
and  yet  discovers  them  to  our  own.  That  tiiedicine 
which  rouses  the  evil  humours  of  the  body,  and 
does  not  carry  them  off,  only  leaves  it  in  a  worse 
condition  than  it  found  it. 

It  must  be  lamented,  that  many  are  as  lost  to 
the  softest  tongue  of  reproof,  as  the  deaf  adder  is 
^  to  the  sweet  voice  of  the  charmer:  they  are  always 
administering  the  bitter  pills  of  calumny,  for  the 
sweet  cordials  of  charity.  Men  love  to  be  adored, 
yet  hate  to  be  reproved.  But  how  can  we  praise 
what  they  do,  when  they  are  so  far  from  doing 
what  is  worthy  to  be  praised  ? 

How  securely  would  David  have  slept,  if  Nathan 
had  not  been  sent  to  rouse  him !  How  far  do 
many  travel  in  the  downward  road,  for  want  of  a 
wholesome  friend  to  stop  them  in  their  journey ! 
Private  admonition  is  rather  a  proof  of  benevo- 
lence, than  of  malevolence.  It  was  the  saying  of 
Austin,  when  his  hearers  resented  bis  frequent 
reproofs,  *  Change  your  conduct,  and  I  will  change 
my  conversation.'  The  more  a  serpent  is  stirred, 
the  more  he  gathers  up  his  poison. 

Some  are  to  reproof,  as  tygers  are  to  drums  j 
because  they  cannot  stop  them,  they  will  tear  their 
own  flesh.  Man  is  a  cross  creature,  and  cannot 
endure  to  be  checked  j  he  would  have  a  Touch  me 
not,  written  upon  himself :  but  who  would  chide 
the  dog  for  barking,  when  the  thief  is  approach- 
ing?— Sin  is  like  a  nettle,  which  stings  when  it  is 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  101 

gently  touched,  but  hurts  not  when  it  is  roughly 
handled.  Beloved,  this  rough  hewing  of  reproof 
is  but  to  square  us  for  the  celestial  building.  As 
for  flatterers,  they  may  be  named  the  deviCs  up- 
holsterers;  who  no  sooner  see  men  troubled  at 
their  lusts,  than  they  are  for  laying  pillows  under 
their  elbows  :  but  let  such  know,  that  their  want 
of  the  fire  of  zeal  will  be  punished  with  the  fire 
of  hell.  He  is  an  unskilful  limner,  who  paints 
deformities  in  the  fairest  of  colours. 

Reprehension  should  tread  upon  the  heels  of 
transgression.  The  plaster  should  be  applied  as 
soon  as  the  wound  is  received.  It  is  easier  to  ex- 
tinguish a  fioming  torch,  than  a  burning  house. 
Gentle  medicine  will  serve  for  a  recent  distemper, 
but  chronical  diseases  require  powerful  recipes. 

The  sword  of  reproof  should  be  drawn  against 
the  offence,  and  not  against  the  offender.  Man 
thinks  this  cup  is  not  sufficiently  bitter,  except  he 
mingle  it  with  his  wormwood  and  gall.  But  the 
wrath  of  man  worketh  not  the  righteousness  of  God. 
The  severest  sentences  of  the  church  are  not  mor- 
tal, but  medicinal.  They  are  to  raise  the  dead  to 
life,  and  not  to  put  the  living  to  death. 

Who  knows  how  much  the  majesty  of  a  reprov- 
er may  tame  the  insolence  of  an  offender?  He 
that  hates  reproof  is  brutish.  He  is  brutish,  like 
an  angry  dog,  that  snarles  and  bites  while  the  fes- 
tering thorn  is  being  taken  out  of  bis  foot  j  or  like 
a  vicious  horse,  that  strikes  the  groom  while  he  is 
rubbing  off  the  dirt. 

If  thy  brother  shall  trespass  against  thee,  go  and 
tell  him  his  fault  between  thee  and  him  alone}  if 
k3 


102        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

he  shall  hear  thee,  thou  hast  gained  thy  brother. 
The  spaniel  loses  the  prey,  by  barking  at  the  game. 
The  presence  of  a  multitude  makes  a  man  take 
up  an  unjust  defence,  rather  than  lie  down  under 
a  just  shame.  It  is  better  to  censure  a  man  in 
private,  than  to  spread  his  guilt  by  proclamation. 
How  many  do  that  in  the  market,  which  they  should 
do  in  the  closet !  Sin  is  a  miry  depth ;  if  we  at- 
tempt to  help  others  out,  and  do  not,  we  sink  them 
the  deeper.  Remember,  tender  lambs,  though 
straying,  must  be  gently  reduced  to  the  fold. 

1 4.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  take  up  every  duty  in  point  of  perfor- 
mance, and  lay  it  down  in  point  of  dependance. 

When  the  purest  duties  have  been  performed, 
the  purest  mercies  should  be  implored.  Many  have 
passed  the  rocks  of  gross  sins,  who  have  suffered 
shipwreck  upon  the  sands  of  self-righteousness. 
Some  people  live  more  upon  their  customs,  than 
they  do  upon  Christ  •  more  upon  the  prayers  they 
make  to  God,  than  upon  the  God  to  whom  they 
make  their  prayers.  This  is,  for  the  redeemed 
captive  to  reverence  the  sword,  instead  of  the 
hand  which  wrought  his  rescue. 

The  Name  of  God  with  a  sling  and  a  stone, 
will  do  more  than  Goliah  with  all  his  armour. 
Duties  are  but  dry  pits,  though  never  so  curiously 
wrought,  till  Christ  fill  them.  Reader,  I  would 
neither  have  you  be  idle  in  the  means,  nor  make 
an  idol  of  the  means.  Though  it  be  the  mariner's 
duty  to  weigh  his  anchor,  and  spread  his  sails  ;  yet 
he  cannot  make  his  voyage  until  the  winds  blow. 
The  pipes  will  yield  no  conveyance,  unless  tlie 
springs  yield  their  concurrence. 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR,  103 

What  is  hearing  without  Christ,  but  like  a  cabi- 
net without  a  jewel  ?  or  what  is  receiving  without 
Christ,  but  like  a  glass  without  a  cordial?  We 
can  only  ascend  to  heaven  upon  that  ladder  which 
was  let  down  from  heaven.  The  most  diligent 
saint  has  been  the  most  self-diffident  saint.  And 
be  found  in  him,  not  having  on  my  own  righteous- 
ness, which  is  of  the  laiv,  but  that  which  is  through 
the  faith  of  Christ ;  the  righteousness  which  is  of 
God  by  faith.  If  you  be  found  in  your  own  righ- 
teousness, you  will  be  lost  by  your  own  righteous- 
ness. That  garment  which  was  worn  to  shreds 
on  Adam's  back,  will  never  make  a  complete  cov- 
ering for  mine. 

Duties  may  be  good  crutches  to  go  upon,  but 
they  are  bad  Christs  to  lean  upon.  When  Agus- 
tus  Caesar  desired  the  senate  to  join  some  person 
with  him  in  the  consulship,  they  replied,  *They 
held  it  as  a  great  dishonour  to  him  to  have  any 
one  joined  with  him,  who  was  so  capable  himself.' 
It  is  the  greatest  disparagement  that  Christians 
can  offer  to  Christ,  to  put  their  services  in  equi- 
page with  his  suft'erings.  The  beggarly  rags  of 
the  first  Adam,  must  never  be  put  on  with  the 
princely  robe  of  the  second  Adam, 

Man  is  a  creature  too  much  inclined  to  warm 
himself  by  the  sparks  of  his  own  fire,  though  he 
lie  down  in  eternal  flames  for  kindling  them. 
Though  Noah's  dove  made  use  of  her  wings,  yet 
she  found  no  rest  but  in  the  ark.  Duties  can 
never  have  too  much  of  our  diligence,  or  too 
little  of  our  confidence.  For  he  that  is  entered  in- 
to rest,  hath  ceased  from  his  own  works,  as  God 


104  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

did  from  his.  A  believer  doth  not,  perform  good 
works  to  live,  but  he  lives  to  perform  good  works. 

It  was  an  haughty  saying  of  one,  Ccelum  gratis 
non  accipiam :  '  I  will  not  accept  of  heaven  gratis.' 
But  he  shall  have  hell  as  a  debt,  who  will  not  take 
heaven  as  a  gift.  For  we  are  the  circumcision,  who 
worship  God  in  the  Spirit,  and  rejoice  in  Christ  Je- 
sus, and  have  no  confidence  in  the  fesh.  A  true 
Christian  stands  at  a  great  distance  from  trusting 
in  the  best  of  his  services,  as  in  the  worst  of  his 
sins.  He  knows  that  the  greatest  part  of  his  ho- 
liness will  not  make  the  least  part  of  his  justifying 
righteousness.  He  has  unreservedly  subscribed  to 
that  sentiment,  '  That  when  we  have  done  all,  we 
are  unprofitable  servants.' 

When  we  have  kept  all  the  commandments,  there 
is  one  commandment  above  all  to  be  kept  -,  that  is. 
To  trust  not  in  an  arm  of  flesh.  In  most  of  our 
works  Ave  are  abominable  sinners,  and  in  the  best 
of  our  works  we  are  unprofitable  servants.  Our 
doings  are  not  like  the  crystal  streams  of  a  living 
fountain,  but  like  the  impure  overflowings  of  an 
unruly  torrent.  I  tvill  go  in  the  strength  of  the 
Lord  God;  I  will  make  mention  of  thy  righteous- 
ness,  even  of  thine  only.  You  see,  beloved,  the 
righteousness  of  Christ  is  to  be  magnified,  when 
the  righteousness  of  a  Christian  is  not  to  be  men- 
tioned. 

It  is  hard  for  us  to  be  nothing  in  ourselves,  a- 
midst  all  our  watchfulness  ;  and  to  be  all  things  in 
Christ,  amidst  all  our  weakness.  To  undertake 
every  duty,  and  yet  to  overlook  every  duty,  is  a 
lesson  which  none  can  learn,  but  Christ's  scholars. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR,  105 

Our  obedience,  at  best,  is  like  good  wine,  which 
rehshes  of  a  bad  cask.  The  law  of  God  will  not 
take  ninety-nine  for  an  hundred.  It  will  not  ac- 
cept the  coin  of  our  obedience,  either  short  in 
quantity,  or  base  in  quality.  The  duty  it  exacts, 
is  as  impossible  to  be  performed  in  this  our  fallen 
state,  as  the  penalty  it  inflicts  is  intolerable  to  be 
endured  in  our  eternal  state. 

We  do  not  sail  to  glory  in  the  salt  sea  of  our  own 
tears,  but  in  the  red  sea  of  a  Redeemer's  blood. 
Crux  Christi  est  clavis  paradisi.  'The  cross  of 
Christ  is  the  key  of  paradise.'  We  owe  the  life  of 
our  souls  to  the  death  of  our  Saviour.  It  was  his 
going  into  the  furnace  which  keeps  us  from  the 
flames.  Man  lives  by  death  j  his  natural  life  is 
preserved  by  the  death  of  the  creature,  and  his 
spiritual  life  by  the  death  of  the  Redeemer. 

Moses  must  lead  the  children  of  Israel  through 
the  wilderness,  but  Joshua  must  conduct  them  into 
Canaan.  While  we  are  in  the  wilderness  of  this 
world,  we  walk  under  the  guidance  of  Moses  ;  but 
when  we  enter  the  spiritual  Canaan,  it  must  be 
under  the  leadings  of  Jesus.  The  same  hand 
which  shut  the  doors  of  hell,  to  keep  us  out  of 
perdition  ;  has  opened  the  gates  of  heaven,  to 
admit  us  to  its  eternal  fruition. 

Those  who  carry  the  vessel  of  hope  to  the  pud- 
dle of  their  own  merit,  will  never  draw  the  water 
of  comfort  from  the  fountain  of  God's  mercy. 
Luther  compares  the  law  and  gospel  to  earth  and 
heaven ;  we  sliould  walk  in  the  earth  of  the  law, 
in  point  of  obeying,  and  in  the  heaven  of  the  gos- 
pel, in  point  of  believing.  It  was  the  saying  of 
one,  '  I'hat  he  would  swim  through  a  sea  of  brim- 


106        THK  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

stone,  so  he  might  but  arrive  safe  at  heaven.'  Ah, 
how  would  natural  men  sing,  if  they  could  but 
soar  to  heaven  upon  the  pinions  of  their  own 
merit !  The  sun-beams  of  justice  will  soon  melt 
such  weak  and  waxen  wings. 

He  that  has  no  better  righteousness  than  what 
is  of  his  own  providing,  shall  meet  with  no  higher 
happiness  than  what  is  of  his  own  deserving.  For 
they,  being  ignorant  of  God's  righteousness,  and 
going  about  to  establish  their  own  righteousness, 
have  not  submitted  themselves  to  the  righteousness 
of  God,  If  such  people  rest  not  from  duty,  then 
they  rest  in  duty.  They  are  determined  to  sail  in 
their  own  bottom,  though  they  sink  in  the  ocean. 
I  would  that  all  such  did  but  know,  that  though 
good  works  are  not  destroyed  by  Christ,  yet  they 
must  be  denied  for  Christ. 

When  a  glass  reflects  the  brightness  of  the  sun, 
there  is  but  an  acknowledgement  of  what  was, 
not  an  addition  of  what  was  not.  A  curious  picture 
praises  a  beautiful  facej  not  by  communicating 
what  it  wants,  but  by  presenting  what  it  enjoys. 
As  God  has  none  the  less,  for  the  mercy  he  gives, 
so  he  has  none  the  more,  for  the  duty  he  receives, 
Man  is  such  a  debtor  to  God,  that  he  can  never 
pay  his  due  to  God ;  yea,  the  more  we  pay  him, 
the  more  we  owe  him  for  our  payments. 

It  is  Christ  only,  who  is  the  righteousness  of 
God  to  man,  and  man  to  God.  We  are  so  far 
from  paying  the  utmost  farthing,  that  at  the  ut- 
most we  have  not  a  farthing  to  pay.  That  man 
will  be  a  miserable  spectacle  of  vanity,  who  stands 
upon  the  lame  feet  of  his  ovvn  ability. 

15.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  10/ 

tlan,  is.  To  take  up  his  atonement  in  God's  appoint- 
ment. 

As  many  do  the  things  which  God  dislikes^  so 
they  disHke  the  things  which  God  does.  If  the 
children  of  Israel  obtain  no  meat  for  their  lusts, 
then  they  are  weary  of  their  lives.  They  are  de- 
lighted with  their  burning  corruptions,  but  are 
enraged  with  their  trying  conditions  ;  which  is 
nothing  less  than  to  be  in  love  with  their  malady, 
and  out  of  love  with  their  remedy.  They  studied 
more  how  to  gratify  their  humour,  than  to  satisfy 
their  hunger.  They  complained  of  the  shoe,  but 
the  disease  lay  in  the  foot. 

Those  who  think  too  highly  of  their  own  de- 
serts, will  think  too  meanly  of  their  estates.  It  is 
even  the  task  of  God,  to  satisfy  the  desires  of  men. 
He  can  do  every  thing,  but  they  are  not  pleased 
with  any  thing. 

There  is  no  man  but  what  has  received  more 
good  than  he  has  deserved,  and  done  more  evil 
than  has  been  inflicted :  he  should  therefore  be 
contented,  though  he  see  but  little  good ;  and  not 
discontented,  though  he  suft'er  much  evil.  Let 
your  conversation  be  without  covetousness  -,  for  he 
hath  said,  I  will  never  leave  thee  nor  forsake  thee. 
Where  the  seal  of  faith  hath  been  set  to  the  bond 
of  truth,  he  who  hath  said  it  will  maintain  thee  in 
the  want  of  maintenance. 

When  a  wicked  man's  purse  grows  light,  his 
heart  grows  heavy.  When  he  has  something 
without  to  afflict  him,  he  has  nothing  within  to 
support  him.  That  well-known  scripture  is  un- 
known to  him  ;   I  know  how  to  be  abased,  and  how 


108  THE   NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

to  ahonnd ;  every  where  and  in  all  things  I  am  in- 
structed, both  to  be  full  and  to  be  hungry,  both  to 
abound  and  suffer  need.  It  is  hard  to  carry  a  full 
cup  without  shedding ;  or  to  stand  under  a  heavy 
load  without  bowing.  It  is  difficult  to  walk  in  the 
clear  day  of  prosperity,  without  wandering ;  or  in 
the  dark  night  of  adversity,  without  stumbling  : 
but  from  whatever  point  the  wind  blows,  the  skil- 
ful mariner  knows  how  to  meet  it  with  his  sails. 

Repenting  is  the  act  of  Christian  men,  but  repin- 
ing is  the  act  of  carnal  men.  Though  their  estates 
be  like  a  fruitful  paradise,  yet  their  hearts  are  like 
a  barren  wilderness.  Such  people  are  like  spiders, 
which  suck  poison  out  of  ihe  sweetest  flowers,  and 
by  an  infernal  chemistry  extract  dross  from  the 
purest  gold. 

Outward  prosperity  cannot  create  inward  tran- 
quillity. Heart  s-ease  is  a  flower  that  never  grew 
in  the  world's  garden.  The  ground  of  a  wicked 
man's  trouble  is  not  because  he  has  not  enough  of 
the  creature,  but  because  he  cannot  find  enough  in 
the  creature.  His  possession  is  great  enough,  but 
his  disposition  is  not  good  enough.  Some  are  sa- 
tisfied under  the  hand  of  God,  because  they  are  not 
sensible  of  the  hand  of  God.  They  never  fret,  be- 
cause they  never  feel. 

We  are  not  to  be  troubled  that  we  have  no  more 
from  God,  but  we  are  to  be  troubled  that  we  do 
no  more /or  God.  Christians,  if  the  Lord  be  well 
pleased  with  your  persons,  should  not  you  be  well 
pleased  with  your  conditions  ?  There  is  more  rea- 
son that  you  should  be  pleased  with  them,  than 
that  he  should  be  pleased  with  you.      Believers 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  109 

should  be  like  sheep,  which  change  their  pastures 
at  the  will  of  the  shepherd ;  or  like  vessels  in  a 
house,  which  stand  to  be  filled  or  emptied  at  the 
pleasine  of  their  owner.  He  that  sails  upon  the 
sea  of  this  world  in  his  own  bottom,  will  sink  at 
last  into  a  bottomless  ocean.  Never  were  any 
their  own  carvers,  but  they  were  sure  to  cut  their 
own  fingers. 

A  covetous  man  is  fretful,  because  he  has  not  so 
much  as  he  desires ;  but  a  gracious  man  is  thankful, 
because  he  has  more  than  he  deserves.  It  is  true,  I 
have  not  the  sauce  j  but  then  I  merit  not  the  meat. 
I  have  not  the  lace ;  but  then  I  deserve  not  the 
coat.  I  want  that  which  may  support  my  dignity  3 
but  I  have  that  which  supplies  my  necessity.  Hav- 
ing food  and  raiment,  let  us  therewith  be  content. — 
Here  is  the  Jlesh  of  the  creature  to  Jill  us,  and  the 
fleece  of  the  creature  to  cover  us. 

It  is  reported  of  a  woman  who,  being  sick,  was 
asked  whether  she  was  willing  to  live  or  die ;  she 
answered,  '  Which  God  pleases.'  But,  said  one, 
if  God  should  refer  it  to  you,  which  would  you 
choose?  *^ Truly,'  replied  she^  'I  would  refer  it 
to  him  again.'  Thus,  that  man  obtains  his  will  of 
God,  whose  will  is  subjected  to  God. 

A  contented  heart  is  an  even  sea  in  the  midst 
of  all  storms.  It  is  like  a  tree  in  autumn,  which 
secures  its  life,  when  it  has  lost  its  leaves.  When 
worthy  Mr.  Hern  lay  upon  his  death-bed,  his  wife, 
with  great  concern,  asked  him  what  was  to  become 
of  her  and  her  large  family  ?  he  answered,  '  Peace, 
sweet  heart  3  that  God  who  feeds  the  ravens,  will 
not  starve  the  Herns.'     If  the  child  be  jealous  of 

L 


110         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

his  father's  aiFection,  he  will  soon  be  dubious  of 
his  father's  provision. 

Our  most  golden  conditions  in  this  life  are  set 
in  brazen  frames.  There  is  no  gathering  a  rose 
without  a  thorn,  till  we  come  to  Immanuel's  land. 
If  there  were  nothing  but  showers,  we  should  con- 
clude the  world  would  be  drowned  ■  if  nothing  but 
sunshine,  we  should  fear  the  earth  would  be  burn- 
ed. Our  worldly  comforts  would  be  a  sea  to  drown 
us,  if  our  crosses  were  not  a  plank  to  save  us.  By 
the  fairest  gales,  a  sinner  may  sail  to  destruction ; 
and  by  the  fiercest  winds,  a  saint  may  sail  to  glory. 
When  our  circumstances  become  necessitous,  our 
corruptions  become  impetuous  j  they  rage  the 
more,  because  stopped  by  the  dam  of  poverty.  If 
God  withhold  the  hand  of  providence,  we  employ 
the  tongue  of  insolence.  We  too  frequently  bite 
at  the  stone,  till  we  break  our  teeth.  We  mur- 
mur because  we  are  in  want,  and  therefore  want 
because  we  murmur. 

A  skilful  pilot  knows  what  winds  tend  to  blow 
us  into  our  harbour.  An  unquiet  mind  makes  but 
a  slow  recovery.  Contentment  is  the  best  food 
to  preserve  a  sound  man,  and  the  best  medicine 
to  restore  a  sick  man.  It  resembles  the  gilt  on 
nauseous  pills,  which  makes  a  man  take  them 
without  tasting  their  bitterness.  Contentment 
will  make  a  cottage  look  as  fair  as  a  palace.  He 
is  not  a  poor  man  that  hath  but  little,  but  he  is  a 
poor  man  that  wants  much.  In  this  sense,  the 
poorest  are  often  the  richest,  and  the  richest  the 
poorest. 

Godliness  with  contentment  is  s^reat  ^ain.    This  is 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  11] 

too  precious  a  seed  to  grow  in  every  soil.  Though 
every  godly  man  may  not  always  be  contented,  yet 
every  truly  contented  man  is  godly.  The  Lord  is 
my  Shepherd,  I  shall  not  want.  Such  a  scripture 
will  bring  us  plenty  in  scarcity — fulness  out  of 
emptiaess.  The  water  in  a  cloud  soon  ceases,  but 
the  water  of  a  fountain  continues. 

As  Seneca  said  to  Polybius,  '  Never  complain  of 
thy  hard  fortune  so  long  as  Caesar  is  thy  friend  j'  so 
say  I  to  thee,  never  complain  of  thy  hard  fortune. 
Christian,  so  long  as  Jesus  is  thy  friend. 

Let  your  condition  be  never  so  flourishing,  it  is 
a  hell  without  him  j  let  it  be  never  so  fluctuating, 
it  is  a  heaven  with  him.  Can  that  man  want  any 
thing  who  enjoys  Christ  ?  or  can  he  be  said  to  en- 
joy any  thing  who  is  without  Christ  ?  Why  should 
Hagar  lament  the  loss  of  the  water  in  her  bottle, 
while  there  is  a  well  so  near  ? 

1 6.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  be  more  in  love  with  the  employment  of 
holiness,  than  with  the  enjoyment  of  happiness. 

Thousands  of  professors  prize  the  wages  of  reli- 
gion above  its  works ;  but  a  Christian  will  prize 
its  works  above  its  wages.  Give  me  that  singular 
preacher,  who  prefers  his  labour  to  his  lucre ;  and 
the  flock  h:  attends,  to  the  fleece  he  obtains. 

Some  men  serve  God,  that  they  may  serve  them- 
selves upon  God.  He  loves  not  religion  sincerely , 
who  does  not  love  it  superlatively. 

Israel  is  an  empty  vine ;  he  brings  forth  unto 
himself.  Empty,  and  yet  fruitful  j  fruitful,  and 
yet  empty.  Thus  that  fertility  which  springs  up 
from  the  bitter  roots  of  self  has  nothing  but  vacu- 
ity in  the  account  of  God. 


112        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Such  professors  do  not  make  gain  stoop  to  god- 
liness, but  godliness  to  gain  •  which  is,  as  if  a  man 
should  fit  his  foot  to  the  shoe,  when  he  should  fife 
the  shoe  to  his  foot. 

That  tradesman  is  poor  and  needy,  who  must 
have  ready  money  for  all  he  sells.  In  all  the  good 
a  carnal  man  doth  for  God,  he  seeks  himself  more 
than  God.  The  clock  of  his  heart  will  stand  still, 
unless  its  wheels  of  profit  be  oiled. 

If  the  virgin  should  only  give  her  hand  in  matri- 
mony for  her  bridegroom's  riches,  she  would  not 
espouse  herself  unto  his  person,  but  unto  his  por- 
tion. This  were  not  properly  to  make  a  marriage 
with  him,  but  a  merchandize  of  him.  Saint  Austin 
hath  an  excellent  saying  :  ^  He  loves  not  Christ  at 
all,  who  does  not  love  Christ  above  all.' 

Ye  seek  me,  not  because  ye  saw  the  miracles,  but 
because  ye  did  eat  of  the  loaves,  and  were  filled. 
Christ  was  the  object  of  their  actions,  but  self  was 
the  end  of  their  actions.  They  came  to  Christ  to 
serve  their  own  turns  ;  and  when  their  turns  were 
served,  they  then  turned  away  their  service.  They 
were  cupboard  disciples — more  than  men  at  their 
meat,  but  less  than  women  at  their  work.  When 
the  loaves  were  gone,  the  disciples  were  gone  5 
when  he  left  off  feeding  them,  they  left  oft'  follow- 
ing him. 

Reader,  till  you  can  love  the  naked  truth,  you 
will  never  love  to  go  naked  for  the  truth.  Most 
persons  are  mercenary  in  those  works,  wherein 
they  should  be  flial  and  free.  They  look  more 
after  the  streams,  than  upon  the  spring  from 
whence  they  constantly  run  3  and  admire  the 
beams  more  than  the  sun  from  whence  they  are 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  113 

emitted.  The  want  of  pardoiij  is  the  only  spring 
of  a  servile  man's  duty ;  he  plies  his  prayers,  as 
sailors  do  their  pumps,  only  in  a  storm,  or  when 
fearful  of  sinking. 

And  now,  0  Father ,  glorify  thy  Son^  that  thy  Son 
also  may  glorify  thee.  Christ  prayed  for  glory, 
more  for  the  Father's  sake,  who  bestowed  it,  than 
for  his  own  sake,  who  received  it.  A  true  Chris- 
tian not  only  desires  grace  that  God  may  glorify 
him,  but  that  lie  also  may  glorify  God. 

Could  many  men  find  the  mercies  of  God,  they 
would  never  seek  the  God  of  mercies.  Could  they 
tell  how  to  be  well  without  him,  they  would  never 
desire  to  come  to  him.  God  hath  but  little  of 
their  society,  except  when  they  can  find  no  other 
company. 

Worldlings,  instead  of  looking  upon  godliness 
as  their  greatest  gain,  will  look  upon  gain  as  their 
greatest  godliness.  They  love  religion,  not  for  the 
beauty  existing  in  it,  but  for  the  dowiy  annexed  to 
it.  They  are  like  the  fox,  that  follows  the  lion  for 
the  prey  that  is  falling  from  him.  If  there  be  no 
honey  in  the  pot,  such  wasps  will  hover  no  longer 
about  it. 

Mark  how  the  long-sufifering  God  expostulates 
with  self-seeking  Israel :  When  ye  fasted  and 
mourned  in  theffth  and  seventh  month,  even  those 
seventy  years,  did  ye  at  all  fast  unto  me  ?  And 
when  ye  did  eat,  and  when  ye  did  drink,  did  not  ye 
eat  for  yourselves,  and  drink  for  yourselves  ?  In  - 
fasting  and  in  feasting,  their  eyes  were  not  cast 
upon  God,  but  upon  themselves.  They  forgat  not 
to  eat  when  they  were  hungry,  but  they  forgat  to 
l3 


114        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

praise  God  when  they  were  full.  Their  greediness 
swallowed  up  all  their  thankfulness. 

Reader,  remember  that  God  will  shut  your  du- 
ties out  of  heaven,  if  they  shut  him  out  on  earth. 
I  have  heard  a  pleasing  account  of  a  woman,  who 
being  met  with  fire  in  one  hand  and  water  in  the 
other,  was  asked  what  she  was  going  to  do  with 
them  ;  she  answered,  "  With  this  fire  I  am  going 
to  burn  up  all  the  joys  of  heaven  j  and  with  this 
water  I  am  going  to  quench  all  the  flames  of  hell ; 
that  my  services  to  my  God  might  neither  arise 
from  the  fear  of  punishment,  nor  hope  of  reward." 

The  less  emphasis  you  lay  upon  your  own  works, 
the  more  will  God  lay  upon  them.  Those  who  are 
most  righteous  in  themselves,  are  least  righteous 
to  God.  God  has  three  sorts  of  servants  in  the 
world  :  some  are  slaves,  and  serve  him  from  a 
principle  of  fear ;  others  are  hirelings,  and  serve 
him  for  the  sake  of  wages  3  and  the  last  are  sons, 
and  serve  him  under  the  influence  of  love. 

Now  a  hireling  will  be  a  changeling.  He  that 
will  not  serve  God  except  something  be  given 
him,  would  serve  the  devil,  if  he  would  give  him 
more.  Any  one  shall  have  his  works,  who  will 
but  augment  his  wages. 

He  had  respect  to  the  recompense  of  reward.  This 
might  be  a  good  glass  to  look  through,  but  it  is  a 
bad  object  to  look  to.  The  poets  report,  that  many 
who  at  first  paid  their  suits  to  the  famous  Penelope, 
were  afterwards  married  to  the  maidens  who  at- 
tended her.  The  ass  w^hich  carried  the  Egyptian 
goddess,  had  many  bare  heads  and  bended  knees 
before  it;    but  they  were  all  to  the  burden,  and 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  115 

none  to  the  beast.  I'hus  many  are  advocates  for 
the  enjoyment  of  happiness,  and  enemies  to  the 
employment  of  holiness. 

Demetrius  cries  up  the  goddess  Diana ;  yet  it  was 
not  her  temple,  but  her  silver  shrines,  he  so  much 
adored.  He  was  more  in  love  with  her  wealth, 
than  wuth  her  worship.  '  Sirs,  ye  know  that  by 
this  craft  we  have  our  wealth.'  If  her  temple  had 
been  demolished,  their  trade  would  have  been  di- 
minished. Doth  Job  serve  God  for  naught  ?  Yes, 
for  Job  served  God  when  he  had  naught.  He  was 
as  religious  in  his  poverty  as  in  his  plenty.  In 
this  sense,  that  man  who  will  not  serve  God  for 
nothing,  is  nothing  in  his  services. 

Love  trades  not  for  home  returns,  it  amply  pays 
itself  in  serving  its  beloved.  It  is  reported  of  one, 
who,  being  asked  for  whom  he  laboured  most,  he 
answered,  'For  my  friends.'  And  being  asked 
again  for  whom  he  laboured  least,  he  answered, 
'  For  my  friends.'  Love  doth  most,  and  yet  thinks 
least  of  what  it  does. 

Hypocrites  are  more  in  love  with  the  gold  of  the 
altar,  than  with  the  God  of  the  altar.  Woe  unto 
you,  scribes  and  pharisees,  hypocrites;  for  ye  de- 
vour widows'  houses,  and  for  a  pretence  make  long 
prayers  ;  therefore  ye  shall  receive  the  greater  dam- 
nation. They  painted  their  avarice  in  religious 
colours,  and  put  the  arms  of  Christ  upon  the  devil^ 
that  iniquity  might  by  that  means  be  esteemed 
under  the  garb  of  religion.  They  fasted  all  the 
day,  that  they  might  feed  upon  the  widows'  houses 
at  night.  They  hatched  the  birds  of  oppression  in 
the  nests  of  devotion.     These  spiders  weaved  the 


116        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

web  of  their  oAvn  works,  to  catch  the  flics  of  other 
men's  wealth. 

The  observation  of  Augustine  is  founded  on  too 
much  truth  :  '  There  is  often  a  vast  difference  be- 
tween the  face  of  the  work,  and  the  heart  of  the 
workman.'  But  a  man  influenced  by  the  Lord  in  his 
services,  though  he  may  find  self  in  them  as  an  in- 
truder, yet  he  cannot  suft'er  self  in  them  as  a  leader, 

A  Christian  is  more  in  love  with  his  present 
duty,  than  he  is  with  his  future  glory.  St.  Paul 
was  contented  to  stay  a  while  out  of  heaven,  that 
he  might  be  the  instrument  of  bringing  other  souls 
into  heaven.  To  me,  to  live,  is  Christ,  and  to  die, 
is  gain.  His  life  to  them  was  most  useful,  but  his 
death  to  himself  was  most  profitable.  By  dying, 
he  might  have  enjoyed  his  inheritance  sooner  j  but 
by  living,  God  made  his  usefulness  greater. 

Were  it  possible  to  put  those  things  asunder 
which  God  himself  hath  joined  together,  a  Chris- 
tian would  rather  be  holy  without  any  happiness, 
than  happy  without  any  holiness. 

Luther  had  this  expression  :  '  I  had  rather  be  in 
hell  with  Christ,  than  in  heaven  without  Christ.' 
Indeed,  hell  itself  would  be  a  heaven,  if  God  were  in 
it  -J  and  heaven  would  be  a  hell,  if  God  were  from 
it.  These  are  hard  sayings  to  an  uncircumcised 
ear ;  but  the  real  choice  of  eveiy  renewed  heart. 

A  gracious  man  makes  this  request  for  his  soul : 
'  Lord,  let  me  rather  have  a  gracious  heart,  than  a 
great  estate ;  let  me  rather  be  pious  without  pros- 
perity, than  prosperous  without  piety.'  Though 
he  may  love  many  things  beside  religion,  yet  he 
would  not  love  any  thing  above  religion. 

The  earth  is  our  work-house  ;  but  heaveii  is  our 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  117 

store-house.  This  is  a  place  to  run  in,  and  that  is 
a  place  to  rest  in. 

1 7'.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  he  more  employed  in  searching  his  own 
heart,  than  he  is  in  censuring  other  mens  states. 

Those  bishops  are  too  busily  employed,  who  lord 
it  over  another  man's  diocese.  We  are  to  allow 
believers  for  their  failings,  though  we  are  not  to 
allow  them  in  their  failings.  Be  thou  diligent  to 
know  the  state  of  thy  Jiocks,  and  look  well  to  thy 
herds.  It  is  a  matter  of  greater  moment  to  know 
the  state  of  our  hearts,  than  the  state  of  our  Jiocks. 

Censorious  men  commonly  take  up  magnifying 
glasses,  to  look  at  other  person's  imperfections ; 
and  diminishing  glasses,  to  look  at  their  own 
enormities.^ 

Plato  entertaining  a  few  friends  at  an  elegantly 
spread  table,  Diogenes,  a  famous  cynic  philosopher, 
coming  in  at  the  same  time,  trampled  upon  it,  say- 
ing, 'I  trample  upon  the  pride  of  Plato  I'  To 
whom  Plato  immediately  replied,  '  Yea,  but  with 
greater  pride  in  Diogenes.' 

They  are  fittest  to  find  fault,  in  whom  there  is 
no  fault  to  be  found.  There  is  no  removing  blots 
from  the  paper,  by  laying  upon  them  a  blurred  fin- 
ger. Thou  hypocrite,  Jirst  cast  out  the  beam  out  of 
thine  own  eye,  and  then  shalt  thou  see  clearly  to 
cast  out  the  mote  out  of  thy  brother  s  eye.  Reader, 
what  do  you  get  by  throwing  stones  at  your  ene- 
my's windows,  while  your  own  children  look  out 
at  the  casements  ?  He  that  blows  into  a  heap  of 
dust,  is  in  danger  of  putting  out  his  own  eyes. 

Reader,  are  there  not  the  same  lusts  lodging  in 


118  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

your  heart,  that  are  reigning  in  other  men's  lives  ? 
The  reason  why  there  is  so  little  self-condemnation, 
is  because  there  is  so  httle  self-examination.  For 
want  of  this,  many  persons  are  like  travellers,  skill- 
ed in  other  countries,  but  ignorant  of  their  own. 

As  it  is  an  evidence  that  those  tradesmen  are 
embarrassed  in  their  estates,  who  are  afraid  to  look 
into  their  books  ;  so  it  is  plain  that  there  is  some- 
thing wrong  within,  among  all  those  who  are  afraid 
to  look  within.  The  trial  of  ourselves,  is  the  ready 
road  to  the  knowledge  of  ourselves.  He  that  buys 
a  jewel  in  a  case,  deserves  to  be  cozened  with  a 
Bristol  stone. 

Reader,  would  you  see  God  ?  then  cast  your  eyes 
upwards  :  would  you  see  yourself  ?  then  cast  your 
eyes  inward.  Contemplation  is  a  perspective  glass 
to  see  our  Saviour  in  •  but  examination  is  a  look- 
ing-glass to  view  ourselves  in.  Are  we  then  in  the 
narrow  way  that  leads  to  life,  or  in  the  broad  way 
that  leads  to  death  ?  are  we  Christ's  bride,  or 
Satan's  harlots  ?  are  our  spirits  chairs  for  vice  to 
sit  in,  or  thrones  for  grace  to  rule  in  ? 

Nero  thought  no  person  chaste,  because  he  was 
so  unchaste  himself.  Such  as  are  troubled  with 
the  jaundice,  see  all  things  yellow.  Those  who 
are  most  religious,  are  least  censorious.  Who  art 
thou  that  judgeth  another  mans  servant  ?  Those 
who  are  fellow- creatures  with  men,  should  not  be 
fellow-judges  with  God. 

Reader,  why  will  you  search  another  man's 
wound,  while  your  own  is  bleeding  ?  Take  heed 
that  your  own  vesture  be  not  full  of  dust,  when 
you  are  brushing  your  neighbour's.     Complain  not 


IN  IIIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  119 

of  dirty  streets,  when  heaps  lie  at  your  own  doors. 
Many  people  are  no  longer  well,  than  while  they 
are  holding  their  fingers  upon  another  person's 
sores  :  such  are  no  better  in  their  conduct  than 
crows,  which  prey  only  upon  carrion.  But  let 
every  man  prove  his  own  work ;  and  then  shall  he 
have  rejoicing  in  himself  alone,  and  not  in  another. 

For  want  of  self-examination,  men  have  their 
accounts  to  cast  up,  when  they  should  have  them 
to  deliver  up.  They  have  their  evidences  of  grace 
to  seek,  when  they  should  have  them  to  shew. 
They  lie  down  with  such  hopes  in  their  beds  of 
resty  with  which  they  dare  not  lie  down  in  their 
bed  of  dust.  Conversion  begins  in  consideration. 
The  hasty  shower  falls  fastest,  but  the  soft  snow 
sinks  the  deepest. 

As  that  mariner  who  is  inattentive  to  his  helm 
is  in  danger  of  wrecking  his  vessel ;  so  he  who 
knows  not  himself,  is  likely  to  lose  himself.  Ex- 
amine yourselves  whether  ye  be  in  the  faith.  If 
your  heart  be  not  the  cabinet  of  such  a  jewel,  your 
head  w^ill  never  be  graced  with  a  diadem  in  glory. 

If  you  must  needs  be  a  judge,  then  pray  sit  upon 
your  own  bench.  I  shall  ever  esteem  such  to  be 
but  religious  lepers,  who  care  not  for  scripture 
looking-glasses.  He  that  never  cries  out.  Woe  is 
me,  for  I  am  undone ;  will  never  hear  Christ  say. 
Go  in  peace.  Self-examination  is  the  beating  path 
to  perfection  5  it  is  like  fire,  which  not  only  tries 
the  gold,  but  purifies  it  also. 

The  heathens  tell  us,  that  nosce  teipsum  (know 
thyself)  was  an  oracle  that  came  down  from  hea- 
ven.    Sure  I  am,  it  is  this  oracle,  that  will  lead  us 


120 


THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 


to  the  God  of  heaven.  The  sight  of  yourself  in 
grace,  \vill  bring  you  to  the  sight  of  God  in  glory. 
The  plague  of  the  body  is  not  every  man's  plague, 
but  the  plague  of  the  soul  is.  If  the  latter  were 
known  more,  the  former  would  be  feared  less  : 
though  there  may  be  a  more  pleasant,  yet  there  is 
not  a  more  profitable  sight.  Till  you  know  how 
deep  the  pit  is  into  which  you  are  fallen,  you  will 
never  properly  praise  that  hand  which  raises  you 
out  of  it. 

The  bottom  of  our  diseases  lies  in  not  searching 
our  diseases  to  the  bottom.  So  we  have  but  some 
rags  to  cover  our  nakedness,  we  then  wickedly  de- 
spise the  Saviour's  righteousness. 

He  that  trusts  his  own  heart,  is  a  fool :  and  yet 
such  fools  are  we,  as  to  trust  our  own  hearts. 
The  Lord  searches  all  hearts  by  his  omnisciency ; 
but  he  searches  his  people's  hearts  by  the  eye  of 
his  mercy.  If  a  man  would  know  whether  the  sun 
shines,  it  is  better  to  view  its  beams  on  the  pave- 
ment, than  its  body  in  the  firmament.  The  readi- 
est way  to  know  whether  you  are  in  Christ,  is  to 
know  Avhether  Christ  be  in  you  :  for  the  fruit  on 
the  tree  is  more  visible  than  the  root  of  the  tree. 

1 8.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is,  To  set  out  for  God  at  our  beginning,  and  to 
hold  out  with  God  unto  the  end. 

First,  To  set  out  for  God  at  our  beginning.  Re- 
member now  thy  Creator  in  the  days  of  thy  youth ; 
while  the  evil  days  come  not,  nor  the  years  draw 
nigh,  when  thou  shalt  say,  I  have  no  pleasure  in 
them.  In  the  distillation  of  strong  waters,  the 
first  drawn  is  fullest  of  spirits.     The  first  of  the 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  121 

first-fruits  of  thy  land  thou  shalt  bring  into  the 
house  of  the  Lord  thy  God.  God  prizes  a  Christian 
in  the  bud  ;  and  delights  in  the  blossoms  of  youth^ 
above  the  sheddings  of  old  age. 

Is  it  not  a  pity  that  those  plants  should  be  found 
in  Egypt,  that  will  thrive  so  well  in  Canaan? 

Naturalists  inform  us,  that  the  most  oriental 
pearls  are  generated  of  the  morning  dew.  Had 
any  of  the  children  of  Israel  stayed  to  pass  through 
the  Red  Sea  with  the  Egyptians,  they  would  pro- 
bably have  perished  with  them.  That  field  is  full 
of  the  richest  corn,  which  is  cleansed  from  its 
noxious  weeds  in  the  spring. 

How  pleasant  is  it  to  see  the  thousands  of  Israel 
seeking  the  heavenly  manna  in  the  morning  of 
their  lives !  Is  it  not  better  to  cry  for  mercy  on 
earth  with  the  publican,  than  to  call  for  water  in 
hell  with  Dives  ?  To  discover  grace  in  an  old 
sinner,  is  well ;  but  to  view  it  in  vigorous  youth, 
is  better.  All  the  beasts  of  sacrifice  were  offered 
to  God  in  their  prime.  Jesus  was  carried  in  tri- 
umph upon  a  colt,  the  foal  of  an  ass. 

No  music  could  ever  equalize  the  heaven-born 
cries  of  new-born  babes.  When  the  snow-drops 
of  youth  appear  in  the  garden  of  the  church,  it  evin- 
ces that  there  is  a  glorious  summer  approaching. 

If  youth  be  sick  of  the  will-nots,  old  age  is  in 
danger  of  dying  of  the  shall-nots.  It  is  hard  to 
cast  off  the  devil's  yoke,  when  we  have  worn  it 
long  upon  our  necks.  Can  a  man  he  born  again 
when  he  is  old  ?  Grace  seldom  grafts  upon  such 
withered  stocks. — An  old  sinner  is  nearer  to  the 
second  death,  than  he  is  to  the  second  birth.     It 


122         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

is  more  likely  to  see  him  taken  out  of  the  flesh, 
than  the  flesh  taken  out  of  him.  His  body  is 
nearer  to  corruption,  than  his  soul  is  to  salvation. 

Where  the  enemy  is  the  strongest,  there  the 
victory  is  the  hardest.  Usually,  where  the  devil 
pleads  antiquity,  he  keeps  propriety.  As  there  are 
none  so  old,  as  that  they  should  despair  of  mercy  j 
so  there  are  none  so  young,  as  that  they  should 
presume  on  mercy.  If  God's  to-day  be  too  soon 
for  thy  repentance,  thy  to-morrow  may  be  too 
late  for  his  acceptance.  Mercy's  clock  does  not 
always  strike  at  our  back.  The  longer  poison 
stays  in  the  stomach,  so  much  the  more  dangerous 
are  its  effects.  O  how  amiable  are  tbe  golden  ap- 
ples of  grace,  in  the  silver  pictures  of  blooming 
youth !  God  prizes  a  young  fri.end,  but  punishes 
an  old  enemy.  Old  sinners  are  much  like  old  ser- 
pents, the  fullest  of  poison. 

It  is  singularly  pleasant  to  view  the  Ancient  of 
dmjs,  in  infants  in  clays ;  and  to  see  green  pieces 
of  timber  being  squared  for  the  celestial  building. 
Blessed  are  those,  in  whom  grace  is  in  its  pros- 
perity, while  their  nature  is  in  its  minority.  / 
have  more  understanding  than  mij  teachers.  His 
youth  was  wiser  than  their  age.  His  dawning 
was  brighter  than  their  noon-tide  :  and  this  was 
the  more  admirable,  because  it  was  in  his  youth  j 
for  when  our  lives  are  the  most  vigorous,  our  lusts 
are  the  most  boisterous. 

You  teach  a  cur  while  he  is  a  whelp,  and  break 
a  horse  while  he  is  a  colt.  A  plentiful  harvest  is 
the  issue  of  an  early  seed-time. 

Young  reader,  remember  that  your  youthful  sins 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  123 

lay  a  foundation  for  aged  sorrows.  You  have  but 
one  arrow  to  shoot  at  the  mark  ;  and  if  that  be 
shot  at  random,  God  may  never  put  another  into 
your  bow. 

/  am  Alpha  and  Omega ;  the  beginning  and  the 
ending ;  the  first  and  the  last.  He  that  is  the  first 
and  the  last,  should  be  served  from  the  first  to  the 
last.  You  can  never  come  too  soon  to  him  who  is 
your  beginning ;  and  you  can  never  stay  too  long 
with  him  who  is  your  ending.  The  flower  of  life 
is  of  Christ's  setting  ;  and  shall  it  be  of  the  devil's 
cropping? 

But  what  is  setting  out,  without  holding  out? 
Mutability  is  at  best  but  the  badge  of  infirmity.  It 
can  only  be  those  trees  which  are  unsound  at  their 
roots,  that  cease  from  putting  forth  leaves  in  their 
season.  Those  who  at  present  are  inwardly  cor- 
rupt, will  in  futurity  be  openly  profane.  False 
grace  is  always  declining,  till  it  be  wholly  lost  3 
but  true  grace  goes  from  a  morning's  dawn  unto 
a  meridian  splendour.  The  wool  on  the  sheep's 
back,  if  it  be  shorn,  will  grow  again  j  but  the 
wool  on  the  sheep's  skin,  clip  that,  and  there  will 
come  no  more  in  its  room. 

Nature  teaches  us  that  there  is  nothing  perma- 
nent that  is  violent.  A  stone  that  is  mounted  up- 
wards, when  it  loses  its  impress,  sinks  downwards. 
It  is  just  to  be  cast  off  from  God,  for  casting  oft' 
the  ways  and  work  of  God.  A  finger  divorced 
from  the  hand  receives  no  influence  from  the 
head.  He  that  deserts  his  colours,  deserves  to  be 
cashiered  the  camp. 

Many  have  gone  from  one  religion  unto  all,  till 
at  last  they  are  come  from  all  religions  unto  none. 


124 


THE   NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 


— Eveiy  variation  from  unity,  is  but  a  progression 
towards  nullity.  Be  thou  faithful  unto  death,  and 
I  will  give  thee  a  crown  of  life.  He  hath  a  crown 
for  the  runner^  but  a  curse  for  the  run-away.  God 
accounts  not  himself  served  at  all,  if  he  be  not  al- 
ways served.  It  is  not  enough  to  begin  our  course 
well,  unless  it  be  crowned  with  perseverance. 
.  We  live  in  the  fall  of  the  leaf;  divers  trees  did 
put  forth  fair  blossoms,  but  their  flattering  spring 
is  turned  into  an  unfruitful  winter  3  and  their  clear 
mornings  have  been  overcast  with  the  thickest 
clouds.  The  corn  which  promised  a  large  harvest 
in  the  blade  of  profession,  is  blasted  in  the  ear. 
The  light  remains  no  longer  than  while  the  sun 
shines.  When  God  ceases  to  be  gracious,  man 
ceases  to  be  righteous. 

The  flowers  of  paradise  would  quickly  wither  on 
earth,  if  they  were  not  watered  w^ith  drops  from 
heaven.  How  have  the  mighty  fallen,  when  the 
Almighty  hath  not  stood  by  them  !  The  devil 
would  soon  put  out  our  candles,  if  Christ  did  not 
carry  them  in  his  lantern.  Be  not  weary  in  well 
doing,  for  in  due  season  we  shall  reap  if  we  faint 
not.  To  see  a  ship  sink  in  the  harbour  of  profes- 
sion, is  more  grievous  than  if  it  had  perished  in 
the  open  sea  of  profaneness. 

There  goes  the  same  power  to  strengthen  a  saint 
as  to  quicken  a  sinner.  He  who  sets  us  up  and 
makes  us  holy,  must  keep  us  up  and  make  us 
steady.  How  many  professors  have  seemed  to  be 
just  ready  to  cast  an  eternal  anchor,  when  a  con- 
trary wind  has  drove  them  to  sea,  and  they  have 
perished  for  ever !  0  Ephraim,  what  shall  I  do 
unto  thee  ?  and,  Judah,  what  shall  I  do  unto  thee  ? 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  125 

Why,  what  is  the  matter  ?  Your  goodness  is  as  a 
mormng  cloud,  and  as  the  early  dew  it  goeth  awaij. 

Some  have  beat  Jebn's  march  ;  they  have  driven 
furiously  in  religion,  but  within  a  few  years  they 
have  knocked  oft"  their  chariot  wheels.  After  they 
have  Hfted  up  their  hands  to  God,  they  have  lifted 
up  their  heels  against  him.  That  man's  beginning 
was  in  hypocrisy,  whose  ending  is  in  apostacy. — 
Reader,  you  look  for  happiness  as  long  as  God 
hath  a  being  in  heaven,  and  God  looks  for  holiness 
as  long  as  you  have  a  being  on  earth.  He  that 
endures  to  the  end  shall  be  saved. 

If  amj  man  draiv  back,  my  soul  shall  have  no 
pleasure  in  him.  He  that  draws  back  from  his 
profession  on  earth,  shall  be  kept  back  from  any 
possession  in  heaven.  He  that  departs  in  the 
faith,  shall  be  saved  ;  but  he  that  departs yVom  the 
faith,  shall  be  damned. 

That  mariner  has  no  praise,  who  sinks  his  ship 
before  he  comes  to  the  harbour  3  that  soldier  ob- 
tains no  glory,  who  lays  down  his  arms  in  the 
heat  of  the  battle.  Some  say,  that  the  chrysolite, 
which  is  of  a  golden  colour  in  the  morning,  loses 
its  splendour  before  the  evening :  such  are  the 
glittering  shews  of  hypocrites.  Though  fiery  me- 
teors fall  to  the  earth,  yet  fixed  stars  remain  in 
heaven. 

When  once  that  fire  which  is  laid  on  God's  altar 
is  kindled,  it  shall  no  more  be  quenched.  Grace 
may  be  shaken  in  the  soul,  but  it  cannot  be  shaken 
out  of  the  soul.  It  may  be  a  bruised  reed,  but  it 
shall  never  be  a  broken  reed. 

Christ  is  more  tender  of  his  body  mystical,  than 
M  3  . 


126         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

he  was  of  his  body  natural.  Though  a  believer 
may  fall  foully,  yet  he  shall  never  fall  finally. 
The  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against  the 
heirs  of  heaven. 

The  fiery  darts  of  the  devil,  which  in  themselves 
are  intentionally  mortal,  shall  be  to  saints  even- 
tually medicinal :  these  bees  may  sting  him,  but 
their  venom  shall  not  destroy  him.  His  light  may 
be  eclipse}!  for  a  time  3  but  the  sun  will  break 
forth  again. 

Under  the  law,  the  Lord  had  his  evening  as  well 
as  his  morning  sacrifice.  No  man  that  puts  his 
hand  to  the  plough,  and  looks  back,  is  Jit  for  the 
kingdom  of  God.  Our  labours  are  never  fulfilled, 
till  our  days  are  fulfilled.  There  is  nothing  con- 
stant, but  what  is  pleasant.  Though  a  saint  may 
sometimes  be  weary  in  doing  the  work  of  the  Lord, 
yet  he  is  at  no  time  weary  of  doing  the  work  of  the 
Lord.  There  may  be  a  suspension  of  the  operation 
of  grace  j  but  there  cannot  be  a  destruction  of  the 
being  of  grace.  This  babe  may  lie  upon  a  sick- 
bed ;  but  it  shall  never  lie  upon  a  death-bed. 

Christ  is  stiled  the  finisher  of  our  faith,  as  well 
as  the  author  of  our  faith.  There  is  as  much  ne- 
cessity for  the  Spirit  to  keep  up  our  graces,  as 
there  is  to  bring  forth  our  graces. 

Indifference  in  religion,  is  the  first  step  to  apos- 
tacy  from  religion.  Though  Christians  be  not  kept 
altogether  from  falling ;  yet  they  are  kept  from  fall- 
ing altogether.  They  may  shew  an  indifference 
toward  Christ  for  a  time  5  but  they  shall  not  de- 
part from  Christ  for  ever.  The  trees  of  righteous- 
ness may  have  their  autumn  3  but  they  shall  also 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  127 

have  their  spring.  There  is  never  so  low  an  ebb, 
but  there  is  also  as  high  a  tide. 

Christians  are  like  crocodiles,  which  grow  till 
they  die  :  or  like  the  moon,  which  increases  her 
beauty  till  she  is  at  the  full.  They  have  no  desire 
of  putting  off  the  robes  of  purity,  while  they  are 
on  this  side  eternity.  They  wish  to  hold  the  sword 
of  religion  in  their  hands,  till  God  sets  the  crown 
of  glory  upon  their  heads. 

Professing  reader,  if  the  service  of  God  be  not 
the  way  of  safety  to  you,  why  do  you  set  forth  in 
it  ?  but  if  it  be,  why  do  you  shrink  back  from  it  ? 
Usually,  they  who  ride  fastest  at  the  beginning  of 
their  journey,  are  the  first  who  talk  of  halting  on 
the  road. — See  what  a  sparkling  diamond  there  is 
set  in  the  Apostle's  crown  :  I  have  fought  a  good 
Jight,  I  have  finished  my  course,  I  have  kept  the 
faith ;  henceforth,  there  is  laid  up  for  me  a  crown 
of  glory.  Paul  the  warrior,  was  Paul  the  coU' 
queror ;  and  Paul  the  conqueror,  was  Paul  the 
crowned. 

Jesus  Christ  is  never  a  father  to  abortive  chil- 
dren. Where  he  gives  strength  to  conceive,  he 
gives  strength  to  bring  forth.  He  turns  the  bruis- 
ed reed  into  a  brazen  pillar,  and  the  smoking  flax 
into  a  prevailing  flame. 

1 9.  Another  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  take  all  the  shame  of  his  sins  unto  him- 
self, and  to  give  all  the  glory  of  his  services  unto 
Christ. 

Many  people  take  all  the  glory  of  their  services 
to  themselves,  and  lay  all  the  shame  of  their  sins 
on  him  j  as  if  he  who  died  on  earth  to  redeem  us 


128        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOK 

from  them,  shall  live  in  heaven  to  confirm  us  in 
them. 

The  devil  may  flatter  us,  but  he  cannot  force  us  5 
he  may  tempt  us  to  sin,  but  he  cannot  compel  us 
to  sin.  He  could  never  come  oft"  a  conqueror, 
were  he  not  joined  by  our  forces.  They're  is  his, 
but  the  tinder  is  ours.  He  could  never  enter  into 
our  houses,  if  we  did  not  set  open  our  doors. 

Many  complain  for  want  of  liberty,  who  thrust 
their  feet  in  satan's  fetters.  The  woman  thou  gav- 
est  me,  she  gave  me  of  the  tree,  and  I  did  eat.  As 
if  he  had  said,  I  took  that  as  a  gift  from  her,  whom 
thou  gavest  as  a  gift  to  me.  It  is  the  worst  of  sins 
to  charge  God  with  our  sins.  They  may  receive 
their  punishment  from  him,  but  they  shall  never 
receive  their  nourishment  from  him.  He  cannot 
be  the  unrighteous  upholder  of  what  he  is  the  righ- 
teous avenger. 

O  blasphemy,  to  charge  that  sun  with  darkness, 
by  which  the  heavens  are  enlightened  j  or  that  sea 
with  a  want  of  moisture,  by  which  the  whole  earth 
is  watered !  Our  impiety  is  as  truly  the  offspring 
of  our  souls,  as  our  posterity  is  the  issue  of  our 
bodies.  Evenj  good  and  perfect  gift  cometh  from 
above,  from  the  Father  of  light,  with  whom  is  no 
variableness,  neither  shadow  of  turning.  Whatso- 
ever is  truly  good,  hath  its  origin  in  God.  Now 
the  same  spring  cannot  send  forth  both  sweet  and 
bitter  waters.  It  is  a  known  rule,  that  contraries 
destroy  each  other. 

Many  have  more  leaves  to  cover  their  wicked- 
ness, than  they  have  garments  to  cover  their  na- 
kedness.    They  lay  their  heresy  at  the  door  of  the 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  129 

sanctuary  ;  and  call  their  diabolical  seductions, 
evangelical  revelations ;  as  if  the  Father  of  light 
could  bring  forth  the  issues  of  darkness.  What 
is  this,  but  to  set  a  crown  of  lead  upon  a  head  of 
gold  ? 

We  can  defile  ourselves,  but  we  cannot  cleanse 
oui'selves.  The  sheep  can  go  astray  alone,  but  can 
never  return  to  the  fold  without  the  assistance  of 
the  shepherd.  Till  we  taste  the  bitterness  of  our 
own  misery,  we  shall  never  relish  the  sweetness  of 
God's  mercy.  Till  we  see  how  foul  our  sins  have 
made  us,  we  shall  never  pay  our  tribute  of  praise 
to  Christ  for  washing  us. 

If  we  were  left  to  ourselves  but  for  a  moment, 
we  should  destroy  ourselves  in  that  moment.  We 
are  like  glasses  without  a  bottom,  Avhich  are  no 
sooner  loosed  than  they  fall.  Many  advance  them- 
selves to  depreciate  Christy  but  we  should  look' 
upon  ourselves  as  nothing,  and  Christ  as  every 
thing.  Nevertheless  I  live  ,•  yet  not  I,  hut  Christ 
livetli  in  me.  Paul  was  wiUing  to  be  esteemed  a 
cypher,  so  that  Christ  might  stand  for  a  figure. 
Well  may  we  abase  ourselves  for  his  advancement, 
who  abased  himself  for  our  establishment.  Let 
Luther  be  accounted  a  devil,  so  Christ  may  he  exalt- 
ed as  a  God ;  said  that  flaming  seraph  of  himself. 

Without  me,  ye  can  do  nothing.  The  pen  may 
as  soon  write  without  the  hand  that  holds  it,  as  our 
hearts  work  except  the  Spirit  move  them.  Not 
only  the  enjoyment  of  our  talents  is  from  God  3 
but  the  improvement  of  them  is  from  him.  Lord, 
thy  'pound  hath  gained  ten  pounds.  It  is  not  my 
pains,  but  thy  pound,  that  hath  done  it. 


130  THE   NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 

The  children  of  God  arc  like  a  clock,  which  soon 
stands  still,  if  it  be  not  wound  up.  Did  not  our 
hearts  burn  within  us  P  But  how  long  did  the 
flame  last?  All  the  time  he  talked  with  them. 
When  he  gave  over  breathing  on  them,  their  fuel 
gave  over  burning. 

Gracious  hearts  are  like  stars  in  the  heavens, 
which  shine  not  by  their  own  splendour.  He  that 
takes  the  brick,  must  give  the  straw  to  make  it. 
There  is  no  water  except  he  smite  the  rock,  nor 
fire  except  he  strike  the  flint. 

If  he  call  us  to  the  work  of  angels,  he  will  supply 
us  with  the  strength  of  angels.  For  when  we  were 
without  strength,  in  due  time  Christ  died  for  the  un- 
godly. A  Christless  soul  is  also  a  strengthless  soul. 
Man  is  indebted  to  God  for  what  he  has,  but  God 
is  not  beholden  to  man  for  what  he  does.  For  of 
him,  and  through  him,  and  to  him,  are  all  things  ; 
to  whom  he  glory  for  ever,  Amen !  The  humble 
heart  knows  no  foundation  but  God's  grace ;  and 
tlie  upright  man  knows  no  end  but  God's  glory. 

Waters  may  rise  as  high  as  they  fall.  Whatso- 
ever action  hath  God  for  its  author,  hath  God  for 
its  centre.  A  circular  line  makes  its  ending  where 
it  had  its  beginning. 

Reader,  take  heed  of  turning  a  sacred  privilege 
into  a  privy  sacrilege.  If  God  give  that  grace 
which  is  not  due  to  you,  will  you  deny  the  praise 
which  is  due  to  him  ? 

The  wicked  make  their  end  their  God  3  but  we 
make  God  our  end.  The  Armament  is  made  more 
glorious  by  one  sun,  than  by  all  the  stars  that  stud 
the  heavens.     Thus  Jesus  Christ  hath  more  glory 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  131 

given  to  him  from  one  saint,  than  from  all  the 
world  beside.  He  takes  more  pleasure  in  their 
prayers,  and  is  more  honoured  by  their  praise. 

Whether  ye  eat  or  drink,  or  whatsoever  ye  do,  do 
all  to  the  glory  of  God.  From  the  lowest  act  of 
nature,  to  the  highest  act  of  grace,  there  is  no  argu- 
ment for  the  pride  of  man ;  but  every  consideration 
for  the  praise  of  God.  If  he  make  our  nature  gra- 
cious, we  should  make  his  name  glorious.  He  that 
would  be  fingering  the  honour  of  God,  is  not  wor- 
thy to  receive  the  honour  of  a  man.  Caesar  once 
said  to  his  opponent,  '  Either  I  will  be  Caesar,  or 
nobody.'  So  the  Lord  saith.  Either  I  will  be  a 
great  God,  or  no  God.  That  man  disparages  the 
beauty  of  the  sun,  who  sets  it  upon  a  level  with 
the  twinkling  stars. 

The  glory  of  God  is  the  golden  butt  at  which 
all  the  arrows  of  obedience  are  shot,  otherwise 
they  fall  short  of  their  mark. 

The  body  has  two  eyes,  but  the  soul  must  have 
but  one  ;  and  that  so  firmly  fixed  upon  Christ,  as 
never  once  to  glance  beside  him.  A  single  eye  is 
fittest  for  a  single  object. 

When  the  people  saw  what  Paul  had  done,  they 
lifted  up  their  voices,  saying.  The  Gods  are  come 
down  to  us  in  the  likeness  of  men.  But  do  they 
take  that  glory  to  themselves,  which  is  idolatrous- 
ly  given  to  them  from  others  ?  No.  Why  do  you 
these  things  ?  we  also  are  men  of  like  passions  with 
you.  As  if  they  had  said.  We  are  so  far  from  pos- 
sessing the  glorious  perfections  of  God,  that  we  a.re 
clothed  with  all  the  weaknesses  and  passions  of  men. 

Ungodly  Herod  was  not  like  Paul  and  Silas, 


132        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  people  gave  a  shout,  saying.  It  is  the  voice  of 
a  God,  and  not  of  a  mail !  What  the  people  gave 
foolishly,  he  took  fearlessly .  And  immediately  the 
angel  of  the  Lord  smote  him,  because  he  gave  not 
God  the  glory.  Ah,  how  soon  this  worm-eaten 
wretch  was  a  wretch  eaten  up  of  worms  I  Every 
little  river  pays  its  tribute  to  the  great  sea ;  and 
shall  we  refuse  ours  to  the  great  God  ? 

As  there  is  no  time  in  which  God  is  not  blessing 
his  children  3  so  there  should  be  no  time  in  which 
his  people  are  not  blessing  him.  As  he  designs 
our  happiness  in  all  he  does  j  so  it  is  but  reason- 
able that  we  should  seek  his  honour  in  all  we  do. 
We  have  no  way  to  turn  the  streams  unto  God, 
the  ocean  of  all  bounty,  but  through  the  pipes  of 
gratitude. 

Giving  thanks  unto  the  Father,  who  hath  made 
us  meet  to  be  partakers  of  the  inheritance  of  the 
saints  in  light.  It  is  very  meet  that  he  should  be 
magnified  by  us,  when  he  makes  us  meet  to  be  glo- 
rified with  him.  The  whisperings  of  the  voice 
are  echoed  back  in  an  exact  concave. 

The  body  of  man  can  stoop  for  a  pin,  as  well 
as  for  a  pound.  As  the  best  of  means  should  make 
us  fruitful,  so  the  least  of  mercies  should  make  us 
thankful.  The  four  and  twenty  elders  fall  down 
before  him  that  sitteth  on  the  throne,  and  worship 
him  that  liveth  for  ever.  Whatsoever  ointment  is 
poured  out  upon  Christ's  head,  will  run  down  to 
the  skirts  of  his  garment.  What  a  saint  gives  to 
Christ  in  copper,  shall  be  returned  to  him  in  sil- 
ver :  yea,  the  only  way  to  keep  our  crowns  on  our 
heads,  is  to  cast  them  down  at  his  feet, 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  133 

20.  The  last  singular  action  of  a  sanctified  Chris- 
tian, is.  To  value  a  heavenly  reversion  above  an 
earthly  possession. 

Some  say,  that  a  bird  in  the  hand  is  worth  two 
in  the  bush  ;  but  surely  such  a  bird  in  the  bush  is 
worth  two  in  the  hand.  If  others  dote  upon  the 
streams,  let  us  admire  the  fountain. 

Socrates  being  asked  what  countryman  he  was  ; 
answered,  '  I  am  a  citizen  of  the  whole  world.' 
But  ask  a  Christian  what  countiyman  he  is  ;  and 
he  will  answer,  '  I  am  a  citizen  of  all  heaven.* 
Believers  build  their  tombs  where  others  build  their 
tabernacles.  The  men  of  the  world  fix  upon  the 
things  of  the  world ;  that  is  the  cabinet  wherein 
they  lock  up  all  their  jewels.  Though  God  has 
given  the  earth  to  beasts,  yet  such  beasts  are  men, 
as  to  give  themselves  to  the  earth. 

It  was  the  saying  of  a  cursed  cardinal,  'I  prefer 
a  part  in  the  honours  of  Paris,  to  a  part  in  the 
happiness  of  paradise.'  What  is  the  glimmering 
of  a  candle,  to  the  shining  of  the  sun  ?  or  the  va- 
lue of  brass,  compared  with  gold  ?  Thoughtless 
children  are  taken  up  more  with  present  counters, 
than  with  future  crowns.  Thus,  while  the  sha- 
dow is  embraced,  the  substance  is  neglected  j  and 
short-sighted  man  courts  the  veil,  when  he  should 
admire  the  face. 

That  man  who  is  a  labouring  bee  for  earthly 
prosperity,  will  be  but  an  idle  drone  for  heavenly 
felicity.  If  ye  be  risen  with  Christ,  seek  those  things 
which  are  above,  where  Christ  sitteth  on  the  right 
hand  of  God. 

There  is  no  need  of  blotting  out  the  characters 


134         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

of  our  affections,  but  of  writing  them  on  fairer  pa- 
per. There  is  no  necessity  for  drying  up  these 
running  waters,  but  for  diverting  them  into  their 
proper  channels.  Why  should  we  wholly  destroy 
these  valuable  plants,  when  they  might  thrive  so 
well  in  a  better  soil  ?  He  who  looks  upon  heaven 
with  desire,  will  look  upon  earth  with  disdain. 
Our  affections  were  made  for  the  things  which 
are  above  us,  and  not  for  the  things  which  are 
about  us. 

What  is  an  earthly  manor,  compared  to  an  hea- 
venly mansion  ?  As  carnal  things  seem  small  to 
a  spiritual  man,  so  spiritual  things  appear  small  to 
a  carnal  man.  There  is  no  moving  after  things 
beyond  the  sphere  of  our  own  knowledge.  Hea- 
ven is  to  the  worldling  as  a  mine  of  gold  covered 
with  earth  and  rubbish ;  or  as  a  bed  of  pearl  en- 
closed in  a  heap  of  sand.  But  if  he  had  the  eyes 
of  an  eagle  to  see  it,  he  would  wish  for  the  wings 
of  an  eagle  to  soar  unto  it. 

How  little  would  the  great  world  seem  to  us,  if 
the  great  God  were  not  so  little  in  us.  Either  men 
have  no  thoughts  of  a  future  state,  or  else  they 
have  low  thoughts  of  a  future  state.  If  we  had 
souls  without  any  bodies,  then  there  would  be  no 
need  of  the  earth  to  keep  us ;  if  we  had  bodies 
without  any  souls,  there  would  be  no  need  of  hea- 
ven to  crown  us. 

Such  as  have  no  present  holiness,  are  for  a  pre- 
sent happiness.  There  he  7nany  that  say.  Who 
will  shew  us  any  good  ?  Any  good  will  serve  the 
turns  of  those  who  know  not  the  chief  good.  But 
David  adds^  Lord,  lift  thou  up  the  light  of  thy 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  135 

countenance  upon  us.  O  how  sordid  is  it  for  men 
to  prefer  the  garlic  and  onions  of  Egypt,  to  the 
milk  and  honey  of  Canaan !  Visible  things  to 
them,  are  better  than  invisible.  They  mind  the 
world  that  is  come  so  much,  as  if  it  would  never 
have  an  end  •  and  the  world  to  come  so  little,  as 
if  it  would  never  have  a  beginning. 

Reader,  why  should  you  be  so  taken  up  with 
your  riches,  when  you  will  be  so  soon  taken  from 
your  riches  ?  Why  do  you  dote  upon  a  flower, 
which  a  day  may  wither  r  As  you  are  travelling 
beyond  the  world,  so  also  it  would  be  your  wisdom 
to  be  trading  above  the  world.  But,  alas,  such 
are  not  easily  awaked,  who  fall  so  fast  asleep  on 
the  world's  pillow. 

When  the  Gauls  had  tasted  the  wine  of  Italy, 
they  asked  where  the  grapes  grew  j  and  would 
never  be  quiet  till  they  came  there.  Thus  may 
you  cry,  0  that  I  had  the  wings  of  a  dove,  that  I 
might  Jtij  away  and  be  at  rest !  A  believer  is  will- 
ing to  lose  the  world,  for  the  enjoyment  of  grace ; 
and  he  is  willing  to  leave  the  world,  for  the  frui- 
tion of  glory. 

As  the  worst  on  this  side  eternity,  compared 
with  hell,  is  mercy ;  so  the  best  on  this  side  eter- 
nity, compared  with  heaven,  is  misery.  There  is 
no  more  comparison  to  be  made  between  heaven 
and  earth,  than  there  is  between  a  piece  of  rusty 
iron  and  refined  gold.  St.  Austin  saith,  *  The  hope 
of  life  immortal,  is  the  life  of  our  mortal  lives.' 
It  is  the  expectation  of  a  future  glorious  heritage, 
which  is  the  Jacob's-staff  of  saints,  with  which 
they  walk  through  this  dark  pilgrimage. 


136  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

If  in  this  life  only  we  have  hope  in  Christ,  we  are 
of  all  men  the  most  miserable  ;  but  because  we 
have  hope  in  Christ  after  this  Hfe,  we  may  be  of 
all  men  the  most  comfortable.  Though  we  have 
desires  in  the  world,  yet  we  have  no  desires  after 
the  world.  For  in  this  we  groan  earnestly,  desir- 
ing to  be  clothed  upon  with  our  house  which  is 
from  heaven.  A  believer  longs  most  for  that  place 
where  he  shall  be  best.  He  not  only  grows  in 
grace,  but  groans  for  glory. 

Perfection  is  the  boundary  of  the  strongest  ex- 
pectation. As  it  is  satisfied  with  nothing  less,  so 
it  looks  for  nothing  more.  Every  thing  in  eterni- 
ty is  wound  up  to  its  highest  capacity.  It  is  in 
heaven  that  mercy  will  be  received  unmixed,  and 
majesty  viewed  unveiled.  What  is  a  worthless 
pebble,  compared  with  a  matchless  pearl  ? 

What  a  sweet  salutation  is  that  of  the  Saviour 
to  his  servant.  Enter  thou  into  the  joy  of  thy  Lord  ! 
O,  what  joy  shall  enter  into  the  believer,  when  he 
shall  enter  into  the  joy  of  his  Redeemer !  Then 
the  vessels  of  mercy  shall  have  sea-room  enough 
in  the  ocean  of  glory. 

Those  whom  love  has  closely  united  together, 
cannot  contentedly  dwell  for  ever  asunder.  Co7ne, 
ye  blessed  of  my  Father,  inherit  the  kingdom  pre- 
pared for  you,  before  the  foundation  of  the  world. 
That  which  makes  hell  so  full  of  horror,  is,  that 
it  is  below  all  hopes  ;  and  that  which  makes  hea- 
ven so  full  of  splendour,  is,  that  it  is  above  all 
fears.  The  one  is  a  night  without  the  return  of 
day  3  the  other  is  a  day  free  from  the  approach 
of  night. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  137 

Who  would  not  seek  after  glory  with  the  great- 
est diligence,  and  wait  for  glory  with  the  greatest 
patience  ?  seeing  we  advance  the  interest,  while 
we  stay  for  the  principal. 

There  are  some  deluded  professors,  who  aspire 
after  earthly  grandeur  3  as  if  the  place  where  saints 
are  crucified  were  the  place  whei^e  they  are  glori- 
ed. This  were  to  consider  the  church  in  a  trium- 
phant, rather  than  in  a  militant  condition.  The 
ark  of  the  church,  which  is  now  tossed  upon  a  tu- 
multuous sea,  shall  then  rest  in  the  harbour  of 
eternal  tranquillity. 

In  my  Father  s  house  are  mamj  mansions  :  I  go 
to  prepare  a  place  for  you.  Our  Redeemer  is  our 
forerunner.  He  that  takes  possession  of  us  on 
earth,  takes  possession  for  us  in  heaven.  As  we 
are  not  long  here  without  him,  so  he  will  not  be 
long  there  without  us.  Here  all  the  earth  is  not 
enough  for  one  carnal  man,  but  there  one  heaven 
shall  be  enough  for  all  Christian  men.  In  this 
life  there  are  showers  of  tears  fall  from  the  saint's 
eyes,  but  in  that  life  there  shall  be  a  sunshine  of 
glory  in  the  saint's  heart. 

Many  temptations  may  withstand  a  heaven-born 
soul,  but  no  temptation  shall  finally  prevail  against 
him.  Flying  birds  are  never  taken  in  a  fowler's 
snare.  What  is  all  that  M'e  enjoy  here,  but  as  a 
dying  spark  of  that  living  flame  ?  as  a  languishing 
ray  of  that  illustrious  sun  ?  or  as  a  small  drop  of 
that  overflowing  spring  ? 

In  whom,  though  now  ye  see  him  not,  yet  believ- 
ing, ye  rejoice  with  joy  unspeakable  and  full  of  glo- 
ry.    If  there  be  so  much  delight  in  believing,  oh, 
n3 


138        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

how  much  is  there  in  beholding !  What  is  the 
wooing  day,  to  the  wedding  day?  What  is  the 
seaUngof  the  conveyance,  to  the  enjoyment  of  the 
inheritance  ?  or  the  fore-tastes  of  glory,  to  the  ful- 
ness of  glory?  The  good  things  of  that  life  are 
so  great,  as  not  to  be  measured ;  so  many,  as  not 
to  be  enumerated ;  and  so  precious,  as  not  to  be 
estimated. 

If  the  picture  of  holiness  be  so  comely  in  its 
rough  draught,  how  lovely  a  piece  will  it  be  in  all 
its  perfections  !  Every  grace  which  is  here  seen 
in  its  minority,  shall  be  seen  there  in  its  maturitij. 


APPLICATION. 

Having  dispatched  that  which  is  doctrinal,  I  now 
come  to  the  discussion  of  that  which  is  practical. 
And  I  shall  here  propose  two  considerations : 

First,  For  the  erection  of  singular  principles. 

Secondly,  The  direction  of  singular  practices. 

I.  For  the  erection  of  singular  principles. 

Natural  men  obey  natural  principles,  and  spirit- 
ual men  obey  spiritual  principles.  No  man  can  ex- 
pect that  bitter  roots  should  produce  sweet  fruits. 
Though  civil  principles  may  be  kindled  at  the 
torch  of  nature,  yet  sacred  principles  are  lighted 
at  the  blaze  of  scripture. 

Now  there  are  twenty  singular  principles,  which 
I  shall  consider  as  the  rise  and  spring  of  singular 
practices. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  139 

].  The  first  principle  that  believers  walk  by, 
is  this  :  That  whatsoever  is  transacted  by  men  on 
earth,  is  eyed  by  the  Lord  in  heaven. 

A  man  may  hide  God  from  himself,  and  yet  he 
cannot  hide  himself  from  God.  This,  even  a  pro- 
digal could  acknowledge  :  I  have  sinned  against 
heaven,  and  in  thy  sight.  When  a  man  wishes  God 
to  be  like  himself,  it  argues  that  he  is  vicious  ;  but 
when  he  desires  to  be  like  God,  it  indicates  that 
he  is  virtuous. 

A  false  God  would  be  most  acceptable  to  a  false 
heart.  For,  their  idols  are  silver  and  gold,  the 
work  of  mens  hands.  They  have  mouths,  but  they 
speak  not  for  our  direction ;  eyes  have  they,  but 
they  see  not  our  condition  3  they  have  ears,  but 
they  hear  not  our  supplication  3  they  have  hands, 
but  they  work  not  our  redemption.  These  were 
not  the  gods  that  made  men  3  but  the' gods  that 
men  made. 

But  all  things  are  naked  and  open  before  the  eyes 
of  him  with  whom  we  have  to  do.  We  cannot  al- 
ways see  his  will  in  his  works,  but  he  can  always 
discover  our  works  in  our  will.  To  him  the  most 
hidden  roots  are  as  visible  as  the  uppermost  bran- 
ches. Though  the  place  where  we  sin  be  to  men 
as  dark  as  Egypt,  yet  to  God  it  is  as  light  as  Go- 
shen. 

That  advice  which  one  gave  to  his  friend  pri- 
vately, is  worthy  to  be  adopted  publicly.  ^  So  act 
towards  men,  as  in  the  sight  of  God :  and  so  pray 
to  God,  as  in  the  sight  of  men.'  He  is  a  bold 
thief  who  will  cut  your  purse  while  you  look  in 
his  face. 


140        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

All  the  ways  of  a  man  are  clean  in  his  own  eyes ; 
hut  the  Lord  weigheth  the  spirits.  The  Lord  sees 
faults  where  men  see  none.  Atoms,  which  are  in- 
visible in  the  candle-light  of  reason,  are  all  made 
to  dance  naked  in  the  sun-shine  of  omniscience. 

Cato  was  so  grave  and  so  good  a  man,  that  none 
TTOuld  behave  unseemly  in  his  presence :  whence 
it  grew  to  a  proverbial  caveat,  '  Take  heed  what 
you  do_,  for  Cato  sees  you  I'  How  reproachful  is 
it  to  us,  that  the  eyes  of  a  man  should  have  more 
eflfect  upon  our  manners,  than  the  penetrating 
eyes  of  God ! 

Mom  us,  one  of  the  heathen  gods,  is  said  to  have 
complained  of  Vulcan,  that  he  had  not  set  a  grate 
at  every  man's  breast.  God  hath  a  glazed  win- 
dow in  the  darkest  houses  of  clay :  he  sees  what 
is  done  in  them,  when  none  other  can.  To  God's 
omnipotence  there  is  nothing  impossible ;  and  to 
God's  omniscience  there  is  nothing  invisible,  I 
never  look  for  those  persons  to  strain  at  gnats,  who 
■will  easily  and  greedily  swallow  camels. 

What  is  the  reason  that  men  do  the  works  of 
darkness,  but  that  they  think  they  do  their  works 
in  gross  darkness  ?  They  suppose  that  no  eye  sees 
them,  no  not  his  eye,  that  doth  nothing  else  but  see. 
yind  thou  say  est,  how  doth  God  know  ?  can  he  judge 
through  the  dark  cloud  ?  Thick  clouds  are  a  cov- 
ering to  him,  that  he  seeth  not.  Ah,  how  fain 
would  the  hand  of  man  draw  a  veil  over  the  face 
of  God. 

An  unsound  creature  would  be  an  unseen  crea- 
ture. Understand,  ye  brutish  among  the  people; 
and,  ye  fools,  when  will  ye  be  wise  ?     He  that 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  141 

planted  the  ear,  shall  he  not  hear  ?  he  that  formed 
the  eye,  shall  he  not  see  ?  What,  will  you  make 
him  deaf,  who  gives  you  ears  ?  and  him  blind, 
who  gives  you  eyes  ?  This  is  acting  like  a  beast 
among  men,  and  not  as  a  man  among  beasts.  But, 
the  Lord  knoiveth  the  thoughts  of  men,  that  they 
are  vanity.  And  this  is  the  vainest  thought  of 
tbem  all,  that  he  knows  not  the  vanity  of  their 
thoughts. 

Reader,  you  cannot  set  down  your  lusts  in  such 
characters,  but  that  the  eyes  of  God  can  read  them. 
As  he  can  save  in  the  greatest  extremity,  so  he  can 
see  in  the  deepest  obscurity. 

Plato  saith  of  the  king  of  Lydia,  that  he  had  a 
ring,  with  which,  when  he  turned  the  head  to  the 
palm  of  his  hand,  he  could  see  every  person  3  and 
yet  he  himself  remain  invisible.  Though  we  can- 
not see  God  while  we  live,  yet  he  can  see  how  we 
live.  For  his  eyes  are  upon  the  ways  of  man ;  and 
he  seeth  all  his  goings.  Man  may  gild  over  the 
leaves  of  a  blurred  life  with^the  profession  of  holi- 
ness J  but  God  can  unmask  the  painted  Jezebel  of 
hypocrisy,  and  lay  her  naked  to  her  own  shame. 

Because  sin  has  put  out  our  eyes,  we  vainly  im- 
agine that  it  hath  put  out  God's.  Because  we  be- 
hold not  what  he  does  in  heaven  for  us,  we  think 
that  he  sees  not  what  we  do  on  earth  against  him. 

Men  care  not  what  they  do,  when  they  believe 
that  God  sees  not  what  is  done.  They  slay  the 
widow  and  the  stranger,  and  murder  the  fatherless. 
They  say,  the  Lord  shall  not  see,  neither  shall  the 
God  of  Jacob  regard  it.  The  adulterer  waits  for 
the  twilight.     His  sin  gets  up,  when  the  sun  goes 


142 


THE  NONSUCH   PROFESSOR 


down.  The  time  of  darkness  pays  most  tribute  to 
the  prince  of  darkness.  There  are  many  that  blush 
to  confess  their  faults,  who  never  blush  to  commit 
them. 

When  poor  Adam  had  sinned,  he  sought  not  the 
fairest  fruits  to  satisfy  his  hunger,  but  the  broadest 
leaves  to  cover  his  nakedness.  It  is  God's  graci- 
ous eye  placed  upon  us,  that  makes  us  religious  j 
and  it  is  our  believing  eye  fixed  on  him,  that  keeps 
us  prosperous.  What  servant  is  there,  who  would 
sleep  under  the  view  of  his  master  ?  or  what  sol- 
dier would  appear  a  coward  in  the  presence  of  his 
prince  ? 

2.  Another  principle  by  which  a  Christian  should 
walk,  is  this  :  That  after  all  his  present  receivings, 
he  will  be  brought  to  his  future  reckonings. 

Thus  the  certain  rich  man  dealt  with  his  stew- 
ard :  Give  an  account  of  thy  stewardship,  for  thou 
mayest  be  no  longer  steward.  Man's  enjoyment  of 
outward  blessings,  is  not  a  lordship,  but  a  steward- 
ship. God  communicaf-es  those  good  things  of  life 
to  men,  not  that  they  should  lay  them  up  for  their 
own  vanity  j  but  that  they  should  lay  them  out  for 
his  glory.  The  richest  man  had  as  poor  a  begin- 
ning as  the  meanest  •  and  the  poorest  will  have  as 
rich  an  end  as  the  wealthiest. 

So  teach  us  to  number  our  days,  that  we  may  ap- 
ply our  hearts  unto  wisdom,  St.  Austin  says, '  We 
can  never  do  that,  except  vt^e  number  every  day  as 
our  last  day.'  Many  put  far  the  evil  day.  They 
refuse  to  leave  the  earth,  when  the  earth  is  about 
to  take  its  leave  of  them. 

Persons  of  the  greatest  eminence  have  anciently 


IX  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  143 

had  their  monitors.  Agathocles,  a  Sicilian  prince, 
had  his  earthen  plate  set  before  him,  to  remind 
him  that  he  had  been  a  putter.  The  Roman  tri- 
umphers,  in  the  meridian  of  their  splendour,  had 
a  servant  behind  them,  crying  to  each.  Memento  te 
esse  hominenu  That  is,  '  Remember  that  you  are 
only  a  man.' 

Men,  who  are  gods  in  office,  are  too  apt  to  think 
themselves  gods  in  essence:  but  the  change  of  the 
name  can  make  no  change  in  the  man.  The  roy- 
al psalmist,  who  was  raised  to  princely  dignity, 
ridicules  such  an  haughty  prince's  vanity  :  I  have 
said,  ye  are  gods,  but  ye  shall  die  like  men.  All 
human  divinity  will  soon  be  shrouded  in  mortali- 
ty j  and  those  who  would  appear  as  gods  before 
men,  shall  soon  appear  as  men  before  God. 

Death  levels  the  highest  mountains  with  the 
lowest  valleys.  He  mows  down  the  fairest  lilies, 
as  well  as  the  foulest  thistles.  The  robes  of  illus- 
trious princes,  and  the  rags  of  homely  peasants,  are 
both  laid  aside  in  the  wardrobe  of  the  grave. 

As  the  cloud  and  the  pillar  which  led  Israel 
through  the  wilderness,  left  them  on  the  brink  of 
Jordan  j  so  shall  all  the  glittering  shows  of  life  be 
forgotten  in  the  solemn  article  of  death.  Then 
those  ungodly  mortals,  who  were  determined  not 
to  approach  a  throne  of  grace,  shall  be  obliged  to 
appear  before  a  throne  of  judgment.  For  we  must 
all  appear  before  the  judgment- seat  of  Christ;  that 
every  one  may  receive  the  things  done  in  his  body, 
according  to  that  he  hath  done,  whether  it  be  good 
or  bad. 

At  the  shrill  voice  of  the  last  trumpet,  every 


144  THE- NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

gaoler  shall  deliver  up  all  his  prisoners.  Now  w  - 
see  the  living  fall  into  the  arms  of  death  j  but  then 
we  shall  behold  the  dead  awake,  and  rise  to  an 
unchanging  life.  Then  the  scattered  dust  of  all 
Adam's  children  shall  ride  upon  the  wings  of  the 
wind,  till  it  meet  together  in  its  own  bodies. 

Then  the  purchased  bodies  of  saints  shall  be 
claimed  by  their  heavenly  owner.  Thy  dead  men 
shall  live  ;  together  with  my  dead  body  shall  they 
arise;  awake  and  sing,  ye  that  dwell  in  the  dust. 
All  the  various  animals  which  have  feasted  on 
human  flesh,  shall  then  find  that  their  food  was 
too  rich  for  digestion.  The  bellies  of  beasts  and 
whales  are  not  always  to  be  the  bed  of  God's  Jo- 
nahs. Death  will  cut  us  down  •  but  he  shall  not 
eternally  keep  us  down. 

Now  the  same  glorious  person  who  shall  come 
t^o  raise  the  dead,  will  also  come  to  judge  the  dead. 
In  the  day  when  God  shall  judge  the  secrets  of  men 
by  Jesus^  Christ,  according  to  my  gospel.  The  same 
rule  which  God  has  given  the  world  to  act  by,  the 
same  rule  has  he  taken  to  himself  to  judge  by. 

Reader,  if  you  obstinately  and  finally  disobey  the 
precious  truth  of  God,  revealed  from  heaven  to 
you  J  you  must  sufl'er  the  eternal  wrath  of  God, 
revealed  from  heaven  against  you.  Though  you 
may  now  hardenedly  resist  the  judgments  which 
he  sets  before  your  eyes;  yet  you  cannot  then 
resist  those  which  he  will  angrily  pour  out  upon 
your  soul. 

Poor  sinner  !  will  you  yet  so  wilfully  embrace 
those  poisonous  vipers,  your  lusts,  which  will  so 
assuredly  sting  you  with  the  pains  of  eternal  death  ? 


IS  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  145 

Why  will  you  rashly  pursue  any  thing  in  this 
world,  which  will  subject  you  to  the  intolerable 
curse  of  God  in  another  ? 

God  hath  appointed  a  day  in  which  he  will  judge 
the  world  in  righteousness,,  by  that  man  whom  he 
hath  ordained.  It  is  the  Son  of  man,  by  whom 
the  believing  world  was  redeemed;  and  it  will  be 
by  the  same  Son  of  man,  that  the  whole  world 
shall  be  judged.  He  who  was  guarded  to  the  cross 
by  a  band  of  soldiers,  shall  soon  be  attended  to  the 
bench  by  a  shining  company  of  angels. 

The  ancient  Thebans  pictured  their  judges  with- 
out eyes,  that  they  might  not  respect  persons  3  and 
without  Bands,  to  denote  that  no  bribes  should  be 
received.  But  the  Judge  of  all  the  earth  shall  do 
right.  The  wills  of  human  judges  are  to  be  regu- 
lated by  the  laws  of  righteousness  j  but  so  glorious 
is  the  heavenly  Judge,  that  even  the  laws  of  righte- 
ousness are  regulated  by  his  will.  As  all  his  works 
are  great  and  marvellous,  so  are  all  his  ways  just 
and  righteous. 

Reader,  there  will  be  no  possibility  of  standing 
before  Christ,  but  by  standing  in  Christ.  What 
hopes  can  you  entertain  of  an  acquittal  at  the 
general  assize,  if  your  conscience  condemn  you 
before  you  appear  at  the  bar  ? 

Those  who  freight  their  minds  with  carnal  plea- 
sures, will  one  day  be  condemned  for  carrying  con- 
traband commodities.  Rejoice ,  0  young  man,  in 
thy  youth,  and  let  thine  heart  cheer  thee  in  the  day& 
of  thy  youth,  and  walk  in  the  ways  of  thine  oiun 
heart,  and  in  the  sight  of  thine  own  eyes.  This 
were  brave  indeed,  if  it  could  but  be  secured  for 


146         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

ever  :  but,  alas,  after  the  flash  of  lightning,  then 
comes  the  dreadful  clap  of  thunder :  But  know 
thou,  that  for  all  these  things  God  will  bring  thee 
into  judgment.  This  is  just  as  if  God  had  said, 
'  Well,  poor  sinner,  run  down  the  hill  as  fast  as 
you  please  J  but  know,  that  you  will  be  sure  to 
break  your  neck  at  last.' 

This  is  the  day  of  God's  long-suffering,  but  the 
judgment-day  will  be  the  day  of  the  sinner's  long- 
suffering.  Here  the  cords  of  patience  do,  as  it 
were,  tie  the  hands  of  vengeance ;  but  our  Sampson 
may  at  last  be  roused,  and  break  all  these  cords, 
and  then  woe  be  to  the  Philistines  !  Sinners  may 
have  sparing  patience  exercised  towards  them ;  and 
yet,  not  have  converting  grace  revealed  in  them. 
All  such,  at  the  world's  end,  will  be  at  their  wit's 
end. 

He  who  now  shakes  his  sword  over  the  hardened 
sinner's  head,  will  in  the  great  day  sheath  it  in  his 
heart.  In  the  awful  storm  of  death,  if  his  vessel  be 
wrecked,  there  will  be  no  plank  to  swim  to  shore 
upon. 

And  the  kings  of  the  earth,  and  the  great  men, 
and  the  rich  men,  and  the  chief  captains,  and  the 
mighty  men,  and  every  bondman,  and  every  free- 
man,  said  to  the  mountains  and  rocks.  Fall  on  us, 
and  hide  us  from  the  face  of  him  that  sitteth  upon 
the  throne,  and  from  the  wrath  of  the  Lamb.  Thus, 
all  who  refuse  and  reject  him  as  a  refining  fire_, 
must  be  obliged  to  meet  and  feel  him  as  a  consum- 
ing fire.  How  can  they  endure  the  wrath  of  the 
Lamb,  who  have  uniformly  disregarded  the  death  of 
the  Lamb  r  If  the  night  of  death  find  them  grace- 
less, the  day  of  judgment  will  find  them  speechless. 


IX  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  147 

St.  Peter  informs  us  of  some,  who  deridingly 
challenged  God  to  come  to  judgment :  There  shall 
come  in  the  last  days  scoffers,  walking  after  their 
own  lusts  :  and  saying,  Where  is  the  promise  of  his 
coming  ?  These  cowards  may  boast  and  discharge 
the  artilleiy  of  their  venom,  and  appear  as  conquer- 
ing heroes  at  a  distance ;  but  when  he  appears  with 
his  naked  sword,  they  will  wish  for  the  wings  of 
the  wind,  wherewith  to  make  their  escape.  As  a 
d)ring  man  has  generally  a  short  revival  before  his 
departure,  and  as  an  expiring  candle  gives  a  bright- 
er glare  when  just  going  out  5  so  these,  in  their 
boasted  security,  will  be  surprised  with  eternal 
misery. 

As  mercy  lets  no  service  pass  unregarded,  so  jus- 
tice lets  no  sin  pass  unrevenged.  He  who  now 
makes  no  account  of  his  coming,  will  have  a  sad 
account  to  give  at  his  coming. 

One  observes,  that  the  resurrection  of  the  body 
is  placed  between  the  forgiveness  of  sins  and  ever- 
lasting glory  J  to  shew,  that  then  only  can  the 
resurrection  of  the  body  be  a  benefit,  when  remis- 
sion of  sin  precedes  it,  and  eternal  life  succeeds  it. 

It  is  reported  of  an  Hungarian  king,  who  being 
on  a  time  extremely  dejected,  was  asked  the  cause 
of  it  by  his  brother :  '  Oh  !  I  have  been  a  great 
sinner  against  God,'  said  he,  '  and  know  not  how 
I  shall  appear  before  him  in  judgment !'  His  bro- 
ther ridiculed  these  his  thoughts  as  too  melancholy, 
and  as  unworthy  of  a  moment's  place  in  the  breast 
of  a  king.  The  king  then  made  no  further  reply  3 
but  it  was  customary  in  that  country,  that  if  the 
executioner  sounded  a  trumpet  at  any  man's  door, 
he  was  presently  to  be  had  forth  to  execution. 


148        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  king,  at  midnight,  sent  the  trumpeter  to 
sound  an  alarm  at  his  brother's  door  5  which  so 
terrified  him,  that  he  ran  to  the  king  with  a  trem- 
bling heart,  a  pale  and  frightful  countenance,  and 
besought  him  to  make  known  wherein  he  had  of- 
fended him.  '  O  brother,'  said  the  king,  '  you 
have  never  displeased  me  :  but  if  the  sight  of  mine 
executioner  be  so  dreadful  in  your  eyes,  what  must 
the  sight  of  God's  be  in  mine  V 

Reader,  if  you  have  uniforaily  lifted  up  your  re- 
bellious hand  against  Christ,  how  will  you  be  able 
to  lift  up  your  guilty  head  before  Christ  ?  For  God 
shall  bring  every  work  into  judgment,  with  every 
secret  thing,  whether  it  be  good,  or  whether  it  be  bad. 
If  men  were  to  be  their  own  judges,  they  would 
never  be  just  judges.  But  God  shall  bring  every 
work  into  judgment.  As  he  is  too  merciful  to 
condemn  the  innocent,  so  he  is  too  just  to  acquit 
the  guilty. 

For  by  thy  words  thou  shall  be  justified,  and  by 
thy  words  thou  shall  be  condemned.  Though  the 
arrows  of  idle  words  may  be  shot  out  of  sight  for 
a  season-  yet  they  will  certainly  hereafter  fall 
down  upon  the  heads  of  those  Avho  discharged 
them.  Reader,  if  your  servant  be  capable  of  of- 
fending you  by  his  words,  is  it  not  as  reasonable 
to  suppose  that  you  are  capable  of  offending  God 
with  your's  ? 

Out  of  the  same  mouth  proceedeth  blessing  and 
cursing.  Than  a  good  tongue,  there  is  nothing 
better ;  than  an  evil  tongue,  there  is  nothing  worse. 
Jesus  Christ  will  in  the  great  day  pass  a  sentence 
upon  every  sentence  that  has  passed.     There  is  in 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  149 

the  same  rose,  honey  for  the  bee_,  and  poison  for 
the  spider. 

The  same  person  who  shall  say,  'Come,  ye  bless- 
ed,' will  also  say,  *Go,  ye  cursed.'  As  blessing 
and  cursing  proceed  out  of  the  mouth  of  the  same 
man,  so  they  will  out  of  the  mouth  of  Christ. 
Man's  is  a  curse  of  wicked  execration,  but  Christ's 
is  a  curse  of  righteous  execution.  As  the  same 
wind  may  send  one  vessel  into  the  haven,  and 
sink  another  in  the  ocean  ;  so  shall  the  same 
voice  of  Christ  doom  the  sinner  to  eternal  death, 
and  welcome  the  saint  to  eternal  life.  That  gate 
which  is  opened  for  a  citizen  to  go  abroad  for 
recreation,  may  also  be  opened  for  a  malefactor 
to  go  out  to  execution. 

Reader,  how  sad  is  that  tragedy  which  shall 
never  be  ended!  On  the  stage  of  eternity,  the 
rich  man's  bags  will  be  emptied,  to  see  how  the 
poor  man's  box  has  been  filled.  Then  the  charge 
of  the  pilgrim's  journey  will  be  examined  in  the 
steward's  accounts.  Ah,  how  can  you  hear  the 
doleful  knell  of  an  everlasting  funeral !  Will 
those  transient  glances  of  former  prosperity  lessen 
the  intolerable  weight  of  future  calamity  ? 

The  wheat  and  the  chaff  may  grow  together,  but 
they  shall  not  always  lie  together.  There  may  be 
but  the  breathing  of  a  few  moments  between  the 
sinner  and  everlasting  burning.  The  day  of  re- 
tribution will  prove  to  him  a  day  of  separation. 
While  the  wheat  is  secured  in  the  garner,  the 
tares  are  consumed  in  the  fire. 

Sinner,  if  you  now  hold  the  righteous  in  derision, 
you  would  then  give  a  thousand  worlds  to  be  their 
o3 


150        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

companion.  Then  their  enjoyments  will  be  in- 
comparably pleasant,  while  your  torments  shall  be 
intolerably  painful.  The  sea  of  damnation  will 
not  be  sweetened  with  a  drop  of  compassion.  If 
once  you  fall  into  hell,  you  will,  after  millions  of 
ages  are  elapsed,  be  as  far  from  coming  out,  as  you 
were  at  going  in. 

There  will  not  be  a  sinner  in  heaven  to  interrupt 
the  joys  of  saints,  nor  a  saint  in  hell  to  soften  or 
soothe  the  anguish  of  sinners.  Those  who  have 
the  ear-mark  of  election,  and  those  who  have  the 
hand-mark  of  transgression,  shall  be  put  into  se- 
parate folds. 

How  will  those  magistrates  appear,  who  have 
stained  the  sword  of  authority  with  the  blood  of 
innocency  ?  They  have  turned  its  back  against  the 
vicious,  and  whet  its  edge  against  the  righteous. 
Many  an  unjust  judge,  who  now  sits  confidently  on 
the  bench,  will  then  stand  trembling  at  the  bar. 

How  will  those  ministers  appear,  who,  like  the 
dog  and  wolf,  combine  to  macerate  the  flock? 
who,  instead  of  treading  out  the  corn,  tread  it 
down  ?  and  instead  of  furthering  the  birth,  have 
strangled  the  child  ? 

How  will  fair-faced,  gilded  professors  appear, 
when  they  shall  be  found  no  better  than  hell's 
freeholders?  How  will  they  appear,  when  the 
painted  sepulchre  shall  be  opened,  and  the  dead 
men's  bones  disclosed  ?  They  will  not  be  judged 
by  the  whiteness  of  their  hands,  but  by  the  black- 
ness of  their  consciences.  The  black  hand  must 
then  part  with  its  white  glove.  That  solemn  day 
will  be  too  critical  for  the  hypocritical.     All  those 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  151 

who  now  colour  for  shew,  will  then  be  shewn  in 
their  own  colours. 

3.  Another  principle  that  believers  should  walk 
by,  is  this :  That  God  bears  a  greater  respect  to 
their  hearts,  than  he  doth  to  their  works. 

God  looks  most,  where  man  looks  least.  My 
Son,  give  me  thine  heart.  We  cannot  trust  God 
with  too  much,  or  ourselves  with  too  little.  The 
Jirst  is  our  merciful  keeper  -,  the  last  is  our  bar- 
barous traitor.  Here  you  have  the  dignity  with 
which  a  believer  is  invested,  and  the  duty  to  which 
he  is  invited. 

The  God  of  heaven  and  earth  sues  from  heaven 
to  earth.  He  who  is  all  in  all  to  us,  calls  for  that 
which  is  all  in  all  in  us.  We  may  commit  our 
estates  into  the  hands  of  men,  but  we  must  not 
commit  our  hearts  into  the  hands  of  any  but  God. 
There  are  none  of  our  spirits  so  good,  but  he  de- 
serves them  5  or  so  bad,  that  he  cannot  refine  them. 

On  whom  do  parents  bestow  their  hearts,  but 
upon  their  children  ?  and  on  whom  should  children 
bestow  their' s,  but  upon  their  parents  ? 

Ah,  how  unwilling  is  man  to  give  what  he  has 
no  right  to  keep !  As  God  prefers  the  heart  to 
every  thing,  such  is  the  wickedness  of  man,  that 
he  will  give  God  any  thing  but  the  heart.  This 
people  draweth  nigh  unto  me  with  their  mouth,  and 
honoureth  me  with  their  lips;  but  their  heart  is  far 
from  me.  Heartless  operations  are  but  hearty  dis- 
simulation. Men  may  keep  their  works  to  them- 
selves, if  they  refuse  to  yield  their  hearts  to  Jesus 
Christ.  He  that  regards  the  heart,  without  any 
thing  J  he  also  will  not  regard  any  thing,  without 
the  heart. 


152         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

/  beseech  you,  therefore,  brethren,  by  the  mer- 
cies of  God,  that  ye  present  your  bodies  a  living 
sacrifice,  holy  and  acceptable  to  God.  He  who 
makes  all  he  hath,  has  a  right  to  have  all  he  makes. 
The  formalist  is  all  for  outward  activity,  and  the 
sensualist  is  all  for  inward  sincerity.  The  first 
hath  nothing  within  him,  therefore  he  is  for  that 
which  is  outward ;  the  second  hath  nothing  with- 
out, therefore  he  is  for  that  which  is  inward.  But 
it  is  not  the  pretence  of  inward  sincerity,  that  can 
justify  outward  impiety ;  nor  a  shew  of  outward 
piety,  that  will  excuse  for  inward  hypocrisy. 

Though  the  brain  be  the  spring  of  sensitive  mo- 
tion, yet  the  heart  is  the  original  spring  of  vital 
motion.  The  heart  is  the  first  that  lives,  and  the 
last  that  dies.  O  Jerusalem,  wash  thy  heart  from 
wickedness  :  how  long  shall  vain  thoughts  lodge 
within  thee  ?  Vain  thoughts  defile  the  heart,  as 
well  as  vile  thoughts.  Snails  leave  their  slime 
behind  them,  as  well  as  serpents. 

If  the  leprosy  take  hold  of  a  single  thread,  it  will 
soon  spread  over  the  whole  piece.  Though  sin- 
ful thoughts  will  rise,  yet  they  should  not  reign. 
Though  these  birds  may  hover  over  the  Christian's 
heart,  yet  he  cannot  wish  them  to  build  their  nests 
in  it. 

The  devil  knows,  that  if  there  be  any  good  trea- 
sure, it  is  in  our  hearts  ;  and  he  would  gladly  have 
the  key  of  these  cabinets,  that  he  might  rob  us  of 
our  jewels.  A  heart  which  is  sanctified,  is  better 
than  a  tongue  that  is  silvered.  He  that  gives  only 
the  skin  of  worship  to  God,  receives  only  the  shell 
of  comfort  from  God. 

It  is  not  the  bare  touching  of  the  strings,  that 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  153 

makes  an  harmonious  tune.  A  spiritual  man 
may  pray  carnally,  but  a  carnal  man  cannot  pray 
spiritually.  If  God's  mercies  do  not  eat  out  the 
heart  of  our  sins,  our  sins  will  soon  eat  out  the 
heart  of  our  duties.  A  work  that  is  heartless,  is 
a  work  that  is  fruitless.  God  cares  not  for  the 
crazy  cabinet,  but  for  the  precious  jewel. 

It  is  said  of  Hannibal,  the  great  Carthagenian 
commander,  that  he  was  the  first  that  went  into 
the  field  of  battle,  and  the  last  that  came  out  of  it. 
Thus  should  it  be  in  all  the  operations  of  a  Chris- 
tian ;  the  heart  should  be  the  first  that  comes  into 
the  house  of  God,  and  the  last  that  goes  out  of  it. 
In  prayer,  the  heart  should  first  speak  the  words, 
and  then  the  words  should  speak  the  sentiments 
of  the  heart.  If  the  heart  be  inditing  a  good  mat- 
ter, the  tongue  then  will  be  as  the  pen  of  a  ready 
writer. 

It  is  observed  of  the  spider,  that  in  the  morning, 
before  she  seeks  her  prey,  she  mends  her  broken 
web ;  and  in  doing  this,  she  always  begins  in  the 
middle.  And  shall  those  who  call  themselves 
Christians,  rise  and  pursue  the  callings  and  pro- 
fits of  the  world,  and  yet  be  unconcerned  about 
the  broken  webs  of  their  lives,  and  especially  of 
their  hearts  ? 

Those  who  would  have  the  cocks  run  with 
wholesome  water,  should  look  well  to  the  springs 
that  supply  them.  The  heart  is  the  presence 
chamber,  where  the  King  of  glory  takes  up  his 
residence.  That  which  is  most  worthy  in  us, 
should  be  resigned  to  him  who  is  most  worthy 
of  us. 


154  THE   NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Good  words,  without  the  heart,  are  but  flattery; 
and  good  works,  without  the  heart,  are  but  hypo- 
crisy. Though  God  pities  stumbling  Israelites,  yet 
he  punishes  halting  hypocrites. 

It  is  reported  of  Bishop  Cranmer,  that  after  his 
flesh  and  bones  were  consumed  in  the  flames,  his 
heart  was  found  whole.  A  gracious  man  is  clothed 
with  sincerity  in  the  midst  of  his  infirmities. 

God  is  a  spirit,  and  they  that  worship  him,  must 
worship  him  in  spirit  and  in  truth.  None  can  ever 
give  him  the  heart  of  their  services,  unless  they 
are  enabled  to  give  him  their  hearts  in  their  ser- 
vices. The  sorrowful  sighing  of  the  heart  in 
worship,  is  preferable  to  the  most  elevated  and 
harmonious  voice.  One  is  the  exertion  of  nature, 
the  other  is  the  production  of  grace.  Pride  may 
be  at  the  root  of  one,  but  God  is  the  foundation 
of  the  other.  One  may  ravish  our  ears,  but  the 
other  ravishes  God's  heart. 

It  is  said  of  the  Lacedaemonians,  who  were  a 
poor  and  homely  people,  that  they  offered  lean 
sacrifices  to  their  gods ;  and  that  the  Athenians, 
who  were  a  wise  and  wealthy  people,  offered  fat 
and  costly  sacrifices ;  and  yet  in  their  wars  the 
former  had  always  the  mastery  of  the  latter. 
Whereupon,  they  went  to  the  oracle  to  know  the 
reason  why  those  should  speed  worst,  who  gave 
most.  The  oracle  returned  this  answer  to  them  : 
'  That  the  Lacedaemonians  were  a  people  who 
gave  their  hearts  to  their  gods,  but  that  the  Athe- 
nians only  gave  their  gifts  to  their  gods.'  Thus 
a  heart  without  a  gift  is  better  than  a  gift  without 
a  heart. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  155 

Religion  is  a  sacrifice  j  but,  the  heart  is  the  altar 
upon  which  it  must  be  offered.  As  the  body  is  at 
the  command  of  the  head  who  rules  it  •  so  should 
the  soul  be  at  the  command  of  God  who  gives  it. 
For  a  man  to  take  his  body  to  the  service  of  God, 
and  leave  his  soul  behind  him,  is  as  if  a  person 
should  send  his  garments  stuffed  with  straw,  in- 
stead of  making  a  personal  appearance. 

4.  Another  principle  by  which  believers  will 
walk,  is  this  :  That  there  is  more  final  bitterness  in 
rejecting  upon  sin,  than  there  can  he  present  sweets 
ness  in  the  commission  of  sin. 

The  ways  of  sin  may  have  popular  approbation  j 
but  they  shall  also  have  divine  odium  marked  upon 
them.  This  Delilah  may  please  us  for  a  time,  but 
she  will  betray  us  at  last.  Though  Satan's  apples 
may  have  a  fair  skin,  yet  they  certainly  have  a 
bitter  core. 

Methinks  the  flaming  sword  in  one  hand,  and 
the  golden  sceptre  in  the  other,  should  guard  us 
from  the  forbidden  tree  j  and  make  our  hearts  like 
wet  tinder  to  all  the  sparks  of  Satan. 

Reader,  if  you  behold  nothing  but  pleasure  in 
the  commission  of  sin,  you  will  experience  nothing 
but  the  most  cutting  pain  in  its  conclusion.  The 
wages  of  sin  is  death.  All  workmen  should  have 
their  wages  3  and  those  who  employ  you,  it  is  but 
reasonable  that  they  should  pay  you.  But  how- 
ever you  may  delight  in  the  works  of  sin,  you  will 
by  no  means  relish  the  wages  of  sin.  Ah,  what 
wise  man  would  toil  so  long  in  sin's  drudgery, 
whose  wages  are  no  better  than  eternal  misery ! 

Though  all  sins  are  not  equal  in  their  nature. 


156        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

yet  all  sins  are  in  their  very  nature  mori-al.  The 
candle  of  man's  life  is  blown  out  by  the  wind  of 
his  lusts.  The  corruption  of  nature  tends  to  the 
dissolution  of  nature.  When  the  plague  was  in 
the  Jewish  houses,  they  were  forthwith  to  be  de- 
molished. It  is  at  that  enemy  sin,  that  God  shoots 
all  his  arrows. 

Reader,  you  began  to  be  mortal,  when  you  be- 
gan to  be  sinful.  If  you  had  never  had  any  thing 
to  do  with  sin,  death  could  never  have  had  any 
thing  to  do  with  you.  It  can  only  be  your  im- 
piety, which  divests  you  of  the  chartered  blessings 
of  immortality. 

Sin  is  like  a  serpent  in  the  bosom,  which  stings 
you  •  or  like  a  thief  in  your  closet,  who  plunders 
you.  It  resembles  poison  in  the  stomach,  or  a 
sword  in  the  bowels ;  both  of  which  tend  to  death. 
Like  St.  John's  book,  it  may  be  sweet  in  your 
mouth,  but  it  will  be  bitter  in  your  belly.  How- 
ever fair  iniquity  might  appear  to  some,  it  will 
only  be  found  like  a  blear-eyed  Leah  to  God. 

The  foul  dregs  lie  at  the  bottom  of  the  vessel. 
Who  does  not  know  that  the  golden  cup  of  sin  is 
filled  with  the  most  nauseous  ingredients  ?  Sin- 
ner !  that  which  is  now  like  a  rose  flourishing  in 
your  bosom,  will  in  a  very  little  time  be  like  a 
poisoned  dagger  at  your  breast.  Poor  soul,  be- 
ware of  those  embraces  which  are  but  signals  of 
destruction.  While  such  a  Judas  kisses,  he  kiUs. 
While  the  ivy  twines  round  the  oak,  it  eats  out 
its  sap. 

If  sin  were  not  so  deceitful,  it  would  not  be  so 
delightful.     Like  an  angler,  it  shews  the  bait,  but 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  157 

conceals  the  hook.  Now  it  represents  its  present 
painted  beauty,  but  casts  a  covering  over  its  future 
obliquity.  Wickedness  is  certainly  like  a  river, 
which  begins  in  a  quiet  spring,  but  ends  in  a  tu- 
multuous sea. 

Every  being  produces  its  own  likeness.  '  Do 
men  gather  grapes  of  thorns,  or  figs  of  thistles  V 
The  grapes  of  tranquillity  cannot  grow  upon  the 
thorns  of  impiety.  Inward  peace  can  only  be 
espoused  to  inward  purity.  A  good  way  to  have 
conscience  untormented,  is  to  have  it  undefiled. 
He  who  made  you  clean  within,  will  also  keep 
you  calm  within. 

A  saint  cannot  so  sin,  as  to  destroy  his  grace  j 
but  he  may  so  sin,  as  to  disturb  his  peace.  The 
spider  cannot  destroy  the  bee-hive,  but  it  may  get 
in  and  spoil  the  honey.  If  you,  O  man,  be  found 
nibbling  at  the  bait,  you  may  justly  expect  the 
hook  to  enter  into  your  bowels  ! 

O  think,  you  who  now  glory  in  nothing  so  much 
as  sin,  that  there  is  a  time  approaching,  when  you 
will  be  ashamed  of  nothing  but  sin.  You  may  be 
eternally  sinful,  but  you  cannot  be  eternally  joyful. 
In  hell,  all  that  sugar  will  be  melted,  in  which  the 
bitter  pill  was  wrapped.  This  is  too  hot  a  climate 
for  wanton  delights  to  live  in. 

The  pleasures  of  sin  are  but  for  a  season  ;  but 
the  torments  of  unpardoned  sin  are  of  an  eternal 
duration.  Our  first  parents  soon  ate  of  the  for- 
bidden fruit  3  but  the  world  to  this  day  feels  that 
it  is  not  freed  from  the  miserable  consequence  of 
that  sudden  banquet. 

Solomon  exactly  describes  bin's  rise  and  fall : 


158        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Even  in  laughter  the  heart  is  sorrowful ;  and  the 
end  of  that  mirth  is  heaviness.  Death  will  turn 
all  the  waters  of  pleasure  into  blood.  The  serpent 
of  sensual  delight  always  carries  a  deadly  sting  in 
its  tail.  All  the  meridian  glare  of  worldly  pomp 
will  soon  end  in  midnight  darkness  and  horror. 

Sinner  !  will  gall  and  wormwood  ever  make  you 
pleasant  wine?  Will  thick  and  poisonous  vapours 
ever  yield  you  sweet  and  wholesome  showers  ?  If 
you  pursue  sin  for  profit,  you  will  never  profit  by 
your  sin. 

O  that  England  did  but  look  with  scripture 
glasses  upon  all  its  departing  glories,  and  solemnly 
say,  '  If  sin  had  not  been  here,  they  would  never 
have  been  there.'  It  is  better  to  take  up  our  lodg- 
ings in  a  bed  of  snakes,  than  in  a  forbidden  bed 
of  prevailing  lusts.  Who  would  spread  the  silken 
sails  of  the  mind  upon  the  piratical  ship  of  wan- 
tonness ? 

When  the  pale  horse  of  death  goes  before,  the 
red  horse  of  wrath  follows  after.  When  the  sin-* 
ner's  body  goes  to  the  worms  to  be  consumed, 
then  his  soul  goes  to  hell  to  be  tormented.  A 
wuse  man  knows  that  it  is  far  better  to  forego  the 
pleasures  of  sin  here,  than  to  undergo  the  pains  of 
sin  hereafter. 

Reader,  if  you  delight  in  sin,  I  wish  you  to  re- 
member that  your  ill-doing  will  shortly  be  your 
undoing.  What  fruit  had  ye  then  in  those  things 
whereof  ye  are  now  ashamed  ?  What  advantage 
does  Dives  now  reap  in  hell,  from  all  the  delicate 
banquets  he  sat  down  to  on  earth  r  What  taste 
has  Cleopatra  now,  from  her  draught  of  dissolved 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  159 

pearls  ?  The  stench  and  torment  of  everlasting 
burnings  will  take  away  the  sweetest  perfumes 
that  ever  sin  was  covered  with. 

Young  Joseph  chose  rather  to  be  a  close  prison- 
er for  Christ,  than  to  be  an  open  slave  to  his  lusts. 
How  can  I  do  this  wickedness,  and  sin  against  God? 
It  does  not  only  grieve  a  saint  that  God  is  displeas- 
ed at  what  he  does,  but  that  he  is  dishonoured  by 
what  he  does.  He  is  more  distressed  for  sin  which 
brings  evil,  than  for  the  evil  which  sin  brings. 

When  the  dumb  son  of  Croesus  saw  his  father's 
life  in  danger,  it  is  said,  that  he  cried  out  so  loud 
in  his  fright,  that  his  tongue-strings  broke,  and  he 
exclaimed,  ^  O  kill  not  king  Croesus  !'  Did  Christ 
open  his  veins  for  our  redemption,  and  shall  not 
we  open  our  mouths  for  his  vindication  ? 

The  crown  is  fallen  from  our  heads:  woe  unto 
us  that  we  have  sinned !  Sin  is  not  only  a  mon- 
ster that  unmans  us ;  but  it  is  also  a  tyrant  that 
uncrowns  us.  Nay,  it?  not  only  takes  the  crown 
from  oft"  the  sinner's  head,  but  it  also  entails  the 
curse  upon  the  sinner's  soul. 

There  are  many  who  vainly  suppose  that  the 
fountain  of  their  sin  is  quite  dried  up,  when,  alas ! 
the  streams  are  only  turned  into  another  channel. 
A  hand  taken  off^  from  sinful  practices,  without  an 
heart  taken  off  from  sinful  principles  ;  is  only  like 
a  field  which,  having  for  a  time  lain  fallow,  after- 
wards springs  up  with  greater  increase :  or  it  is 
like  a  stream  which,  having  been  dammed  for  a 
while,  at  last  runs  with  greater  violence,  when  the 
sluices  are  opened. 

5.  Another  singular  principle  for  believers  to 


160        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

walk  by,  is  this  :   That  there  is  the  greatest  vanity 
in  all  created  excellency. 

If  this  truth  were  more  believed,  this  world 
would  he  less  adored. 

A  lady  being  once  told  that  the  world  in  all  its 
gloiy  was  but  vanity  j  returned  for  answer, '  True, 
I  have  heard  that  Solomon  said  so  j  but  he  tried 
it  before  he  said  it,  and  so  will  I.'  Thus,  many 
believe  not  a  toad  to  be  poisonous,  till  they  are  en- 
venomed with  it  J  but  they  forget  that  it  is  not 
only  vanity,  but  also  vexation  of  spirit  j  and  all 
who  are  resolved  to  try  the  former,  must  also  feel 
the  latter. 

He  that  knocks  at  the  creature's  door  for  sup- 
plies, will  find  an  empty  house  kept  there.  '  All 
the  rivers  run  into  the  sea,  yet  the  sea  is  not  full.' 
Though  all  the  rising  streams  of  worldly  profits 
may  run  into  the  hearts  of  men  •  yet  they  cannot 
fill  up  the  hearts  of  men. 

Reader,  did  you  never  htar  a  rich  man  complain 
of  the  want  of  riches  ?  Though  he  has  enough  to 
support  him,  yet  he  has  not  enough  to  content  him. 
Were  it  possible  for  the  eye  to  see  all  that  is  to  be 
seen,  yet  it  would  not  be  satisfied  with  seeing.  If 
there  be  not  enough  in  the  world  to  satisfy  the 
senses  of  men,  how  should  there  be  enough  in  it 
to  satisfy  the  souls  of  men  ? 

The  earth  is  not  a  satisfying  substance,  but  a 
fleeting  shadow.  For  the  fasliion  of  this  world 
passeth  away.  The  most  excellent  and  flourishing 
appearances  in  the  whole  creation  are  continually 
hastening  to  dissolution.  We  are  commanded  to 
use  the  world,  as  though  we  used  it  not  3  because 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  161 

M'liile  we  use  the  world,  it  is  not.  The  tide  of 
worldly  grandeur^  which  brings  the  gallant  ship 
into  the  haven,  may  suddenly  leave  her  in  the  mud. 
The  higher  the  sun  of  prosperity  approaches  on  its 
meridian,  the  nearer  it  is  to  its  setting. 

O  all  ye  who  caress  the  world,  have  ye  not  seen 
some  who  have  begun  their  lives  in  a  palace,  end 
them  in  a  prison  }  The  golden  chains  about  their 
necks  have  been  turned  into  iron  fetters  about  their 
feet.  The  substance  of  this  life  is  but  for  the  sea- 
son of  this  life.  All  creature  felicity  will  become 
a  prize  to  mortality. 

Ye  who  feed  upon  golden  dust,  must  have  all 
your  gold  turned  to  dust ;  and  the  short  summer 
of  your  prosperity  will  usher  in  the  long  winter  of 
adversity.  Those  who  now  rejoice  in  the  world, 
will,  before  it  be  long,  have  no  world  wherein  to 
rejoice.  Arise  ye,  and  depart :  for  this  is  not  ijour 
rest,  because  it  is  polluted;  it  shall  destroy  you, 
even  with  a  sore  destruction.  Heart's-ease  is  a 
flower  that  grows  not  in  the  world's  garden. 

Where  does  that  fish  swim,  that  will  not  nibble 
at  that  hook  on  which  there  hangs  a  golden  bait  ? 
How  many  perish  for  trusting  to  that  which  pe- 
rishes in  the  using  ! 

Poor  worldling,  why  do  you  seek  for  wealth 
with  such  incessant  anxiety,  seeing  the  greatest 
misers  are  laid  as  naked  on  their  dusty  pillow  as 
the  poorest  beggars?  The  faster  you  grasp  the 
world  in  your  bands,  the  sooner  it  slides  between 
your  fingers. 

For  what  is  a  man  profited,  if  he  shall  gain  the 
world,  and  lose  his  own  soul?  He  that  bought 
p3 


162        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

this  ware,  knew  its  worth.  If  the  world  be  gain- 
ed, it  may  be  lost  again  :  but  if  the  soul  be  lost  at 
death,  it  can  never  be  recovered.  There  is  a  way 
to  keep  a  man  out  of  hell,  but  no  way  to  get  a  man 
out  of  hell.  It  is  as  easy  for  a  stone  to  lodge  in 
the  air,  as  for  a  man  to  rest  in  the  earth. 

The  greatest  glory  of  this  world  is  like  a  rotten 
post,  which  never  shows  its  brightness,  but  in  the 
dark.  How  few  are  there  who  have  resolved  to 
ascend  the  pinnacle  of  honour,  but  what  have  left 
a  good  conscience  at  the  bottom  of  the  ladder ! 
Believers  themselves  would  be  surfeited  with  the 
world's  sweet-meat,  if  a  gracious  God  were  not  to 
call  them  away  from  the  banquet. 

Creature  comforts  are  like  the  soft  morning 
dews,  which,  while  they  water  the  branches  of  the 
tree,  leave  the  roots  dry.  Why  should  the  profes- 
sors of  Christianity  be  found  eagerly  pursuing 
those  trifles,  which  even  heathens  have  been  found 
flying  from  ?  The  world  is  rather  a  sharp  brier  to 
wound  us,  than  a  sweet  flower  to  delight  us. 

As  poison  works  more  furiously  in  wine  than  in 
water,  so  corruptions  betray  themselves  more  in  a 
state  of  plenty  than  they  do  in  a  state  of  poverty. 

Gerhard  compares  this  life  to  a  beautiful  nut, 
which,  however  fair  it  may  seem,  is  full  of  nothing 
but  worms  and  rottenness.  The  earth  is  for  a 
saint's  passage  ;  but  heaven  is  prepared  for  him  as 
his  portion.  The  former  is  for  a  believer's  use, 
the  latter  only  is  a  believer's  choice. 

Every  thing  below  is  too  base  for  the  soul's  no- 
hility,  and  too  brittle  for  the  soul's  stability .  Who 
would  set  that  vessel  under  the  droppings  of  a  cis- 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  163 

tern,  which  is  able  to  contain  all  the  waters  of  the 
ocean  ? 

A  professor  boasting  of  the  world,  is  but  like  a 
bladder  filled  with  wind.  Those  who  set  out  at 
first  like  .Tudas,  for  the  world,  may  be  put  off  at 
last  like  Demas,  with  the  world.  '  Son,  remem- 
ber, that  thou  in  thy  life  time  receivedst  thy  good 
things.'  These  blossoms  will  fall  off  from  all  such 
spreading  trees,  when  death  comes  to  shake  the 
boughs. 

The  world  is  too  frequently  got  with  anxious 
cares,  kept  with  alarming  fears,  and  lost  with 
rending  groans.  We  see  the  outside  of  the  great 
estate,  but  not  the  inside  of  it.  We  behold  the 
field  of  corn,  but  not  the  tares  that  are  mixed  with 
it.  We  do  not  always  see  the  worldling's  clouds 
and  dark  nights,  but  his  clear  day  and  sunshine. 
The  riches,  honours,  and  pleasures  of  the  world, 
are  like  spreading  but  poisonous  trees  ;  and  the 
devil  shews  us  the  fair  leaves,  and  offers  us  the 
pleasant  fruits,  but  conceals  from  us  their  deadly 
nature. 

The  world  pretends  to  be  a  nurse  j  but  those 
who  draw  her  breasts  will  find  in  one  the  water  of 
vanity,  and  in  the  other  the  wind  of  vexation.  It 
is  counted  miraculous  to  find  a  diamond  in  a  vein 
of  gold ;  but  it  is  more  miraculous  to  find  a  pure 
and  precious  Christ  in  the  bosom  of  an  earthly 
Christian. 

When  we  have  the  least  of  creature  enjoyments, 
it  is  then  our  duty  to  bless  God  for  them ;  when 
we  have  most  of  creature  enjoyments,  it  is  then 
our  distinguished  privilege  not  to  bless  ourselves 
in  them. 


164        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  world  does  us  infinitely  more  hurt  by  lov- 
ing it,  than  it  can  possibly  do  us  good  by  having  it. 
Labour  not  for  the  meat  which  perisheth,  but  for 
that  which  endureth  to  everlasting  life.  Ah,  what 
a  fool  is  be  who  would  hazard  a  glorious  crown 
above,  for  a  single  crumb  below  ! 

By  how  much  the  higher  the  morning  larks  are 
in  their  flight,  by  so  much  the  sweeter  are  their 
notes.  The  higher  a  Christian  is  raised  above 
the  things  of  the  earth,  the  more  he  is  ravished 
with  the  joys  of  heaven.  The  least  portion  of 
grace  is  preferable  to  a  mountain  of  gold.  One 
ray  of  mercy  is  better  than  a  sun  of  pleasure. 
One  whisper  of  love  from  Christ's  voice  is  worth 
more  than  all  the  symphony  of  nature.  Give  me 
that  friend  who  lives  for  ever,  and  that  wealth 
which  lasts  for  ever. — May  I  make  choice  of  those 
blessings  which  come  freely,  satisfy  fully,  and  con- 
tinue eternally ! 

Surely,  every  man  walketh  in  a  vain  shew ;  sure- 
ly they  are  disquieted  in  vain  ;  he  heapeth  up  riches, 
and  knoweth  not  who  shall  gather  them.  Every 
carnal  man  walks  in  a  vain  shew,  and  yet  how 
vain  is  he  of  his  shew  of  vanity  ! 

He  is  disquieted  in  vain,  and  it  is  only  vanity 
which  disquiets  him.  He  labours  all  his  life  for 
the  profit  of  riches,  and  yet  in  death  his  riches 
will  not  profit  him.  He  that  views  an  ox  grazing 
in  a  fat  pasture,  concludes  that  he  is  but  prepar- 
ing for  the  day  of  slaughter. 

Worldly  enjoyments  are  but  like  hot  waters, 
which,  as  some  affirm,  are  soonest  congealed  in 
frosty  weather.      The  greatest  happiness  of  the 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  165 

creature,  is  not  to  have  the  creature  for  his  hap- 
piness. It  is  far  better  not  to  have  the  world  at 
all,  than  to  have  our  all  in  the  world.  Who  would 
be  like  the  raven,  to  feed  upon  the  carrion  of  this 
execrated  world,  while  there  is  a  much  whole- 
somer  food  for  doves  in  the  ark  ? 

The  world  at  best  is  but  a  looking-glass  -,  there 
is  a  face  presented  by  it,  but  there  is  no  face  seat- 
ed in  it.  When  you  have  sifted  out  its  finest 
flour,  it  turns  to  bran. 

Labour  not  to  be  rich.  A  strange  paradox  !  If 
it  were  not  for  labour,  who  would  be  rich  ?  and 
if  it  were  not  for  riches,  who  would  labour  ?  But 
see  what  follows  :  Wilt  thou  set  thine  eyes  upon 
that  which  is  not  ?  While  riches  are,  they  are  not. 
They  are  not  what  they  look  like  3  they  have  not 
in  them  what  we  look  for.  But  what  are  they 
not  ?  They  are  not  durables,  but  moveables.  For 
riches  certainly  make  themselves  wings  and  fly  away, 
as  an  eagle  towards  heaven.  The  gourd  may  flour- 
ish in  the  day,  but  it  will  wither  at  night. 

The  cup  that  now  overflows  with  wine,  may  be 
filled  up  to  the  brim  with  water.  When  the  sun 
of  earthly  happiness  is  in  its  meridian  rays,  it  may 
be  eclipsed.  A  man  rejoices  in  health,  and  an  ague 
shakes  him  ;  in  honour,  and  a  cloud  shadows  him  ; 
in  riches,  and  a  thief  robs  him  ;  in  peace,  and  a 
rumour  disturbs  him ;  in  life,  and  death  disappoints 
him. 

The  heavens  at  first  had  their  dropsy,  and  then 
the  old  world  was  drowned.  The  heavens  at  last 
shall  have  their  fever,  and  then  the  new  world  shall 
be  burned. 


166         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  earth  is  big  in  our  hopes,  but  little  in  our 
hands.  It  is  lii^e  Sodom's  apples,  beautiful  to  the 
eye  at  a  distance  j  but  when  they  are  touched,  they 
crumble  into  ashes.  Riches  avail  not  in  the  day  of 
wrath.  Not  in  the  day  of  man's  wrath,  to  preserve 
him  from  plundering  ;  nor  in  the  day  of  God's 
wrath,  to  keep  him  from  punishment. 

Pleasures  are  but  a  shield  of  melting  wax,  against 
a  sword  of  power  :  they  can  no  more  keep  an  evil 
conscience  from  tormenting,  than  a  velvet  sleeve 
can  keep  a  broken  arm  from  aching. 

Fire,  some  people  say,  came  down  from  heaven, 
therefore  restlessly  works  itself  through  all  com- 
bustibles, till  it  return  thither  again.  He  that 
cometh  from  above,  is  above  all.  Shall  those  who 
are  so  nobly  descended,  be  so  ignobly  minded  ? 

Do  but  see  how  the  men  of  the  world  toil  upon 
their  hands  and  knees  for  the  things  of  the  world  ! 
There  be  many  that  say,  Who  will  shew  us  any 
good  ?  As  if  they  could  find  a  heaven  in  the  trifles 
of  earth. 

That  was  a  hard  expression  of  a  hardened  world- 
ling, 'Let  God  but  give  me  enough  of  the  earth, 
and  I  will  never  complain  of  the  want  of  heaven.' 
Thus  we  see  the  curse  of  the  serpent  entailed  upon 
the  seed  of  the  serpent.  What  God  pronounces 
as  a  malediction,  they  take  as  a  benediction. 

Again,  the  devil  taketh  him  up  into  an  exceeding 
high  mountain,  and  sheweth  him  all  the  kingdoms 
of  the  world,  and  the  glory  of  them ;  and  saith  un- 
to him.  All  these  things  will  J  give  thee,  if  thou 
wilt  fall  down  and  worship  me.  If  a  covetous  man 
had  been  there,  O  how  would  he  have  catched  the 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  167 

promise  out  of  the  devil's  lips,  lest  he  should  have 
gone  back  from  his  word  ! 

Some  are  so  enchanted  with  their  golden  bags, 
that  they  will  ride  post  to  hell,  if  they  might  but 
be  well  paid  with  golden  wedges  for  their  pains. 
All  such  covetous  Balaams  must  fall  by  then*  own 
devices. 

Covetousness  is  incompatible  with  the  love  of 
holiness.  The  excellent  of  the  earth  can  see  no 
excellency  in  the  earth.  This  world  is  no  bet- 
ter than  a  loathsome  dunghill  3  upon  which  the 
wealthy  stand  crowing,  and  about  which  the  poor 
are  scraping  :  but  if  he  alone  be  blessed  who  lives 
above  the  world,  then  those  cannot  be  blessed  who 
live  in  conformity  to  the  world. 

6.  Another  singular  principle  by  which  a  Chris- 
tian should  walk,  is  this :  That  duties  can  never 
have  too  much  attention  paid  to  them,  or  too  little 
confidence  placed  in  them. 

The  Christian  owes  nothing  to  his  corruptions, 
but  their  crucifixion.  *  Therefore,  brethren,  we 
are  debtors ;  not  to  the  flesh,  to  live  after  the  flesh.' 
Where  God  becomes  a  donor,  man  becomes  a  debt- 
or. The  debt  of  sin  is  mercifully  discharged  for 
him,  that  the  debt  of  service  might  be  willingly 
discharged  by  him. 

Every  created  thing  has  its  bounds  ;  but  grace 
has  none.  In  true  godliness  there  is  no  excess. 
Those  wells  which  are  of  God's  digging,  can  never 
be  too  full  of  water.  He  delights  to  see  the  trees 
of  righteousness  laden  with  the  fruits  of  righte- 
ousness. 

Though  faith  alone  justifies  the  soul,  yet  that 


168        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

faith  which  justifies  the  soul  is  not  alone.  What- 
soever trees  are  without  their  fruits,  that  also  is 
faith  without  good  works.  In  proof  of  sanctifica- 
tion,  good  works  cannot  be  sufficiently  magnified  j 
but  in  point  of  justification,  good  works  cannot  be 
sufficiently  nullified.  The  lamp  of  duty  can  only 
shine  clearly  as  it  is  trimmed  with  the  oil  of  mercy. 
The  most  famous  Roman  pilots,  when  they  have 
approached  the  shore,  have  quitted  the  bottom  of 
merit,  to  sail  in  the  bark  of  mercy  ;  crying  out, 
'  Our  greatest  safety  is  to  rest  only  in  the  mercy 
of  God.'  The  law  of  God  is  such  a  master,  as  to 
require  the  whole  task  of  duty  without  mitigation  j 
and  the  mercy  of  God  is  so  good  a  benefactor,  as 
to  be  capable  of  pardoning  every  transgression 
without  limitation.  He  who  ignorantly  trusts  in 
the  former,  will  feel  his  angry  sword  j  and  he 
who,  as  lost  and  helpless,  trusts  in  the  latter,  shall 
be  enabled  to  touch  the  golden  sceptre. 

Most  that  perish,  it  is  not  their  disease  which 
kills  them,  but  their  physician.  They  think  to 
cure  themselves,  and  this  leaves  thera  incurable. 
Good  works  are  so  indigent,  that  no  man  can  be 
saved  by  them  ;  and  yet  so  excellent,  that  no  man 
can  go  to  heaven  without  them. 

It  would  be  well  for  Christ's  members,  if  it  were 
with  them  as  it  is  with  skilful  mariners,  who  have 
their  eyes  on  the  stars,  and  their  hands  at  the 
stern.  The  self-righteous  man  is  too  prone  to 
wrap  himself  in  his  religious  duties :  but  this  is 
making  bad  worse  -,  for  he  who  vainly  thinks  to 
wipe  ofi*  old  scores  by  his  merit,  does  but  increase 
his  enormous  debt. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  169 

'  Now,  we  know  that  what  things  soever  the 
law  saith,  it  saith  to  them  who  are  under  the  law, 
that  every  mouth  may  be  stopped.'  How  shall 
any  mouth  be  opened  to  plead  guiltless,  when  God 
has  stopped  every  mouth  with  its  own  guilt  ?  It 
is  in  vain  to  stand  up  and  plead  innocence  before 
him  who  is  all  eye ;  to  see  the  blackest  flesh  under 
the  whitest  feathers  -,  and  the  foulest  heart  under 
the  fairest  act. 

Reader,  though  good  works  may  be  our  Jacob's 
staff  to  walk  with  on  earth,  yet  they  cannot  be  our 
Jacob's  ladder  to  climb  to  heaven  with.  To  lay 
the  salve  of  our  services  upon  the  wound  of  our 
sins,  is  as  if  a  man  who  is  stung  by  a  wasp  should 
wipe  his  face  with  a  nettle  3  or  as  if  a  person 
should  busy  himself  in  supporting  a  tottering  fa- 
bric with  a  burning  fire-brand. 

It  is  the  greatest  folly  to  expect  profit  from  that 
which  is  unprofitable.  Could  we  have  done  all 
that  was  commanded  us,  yet,  without  the  mercy 
of  God,  all  that  we  could  have  done  would  cer- 
tainly undo  us. 

When  the  river  fails  us  in  its  supplies  of  water, 
we  then  look  up  to  the  clouds  for  moisture.  If 
Christ  breathe  not  into  our  religious  services,  it  is 
impossible  to  grow  under  them.  That  which  is 
true  in  philosophy,  is  not  always  true  in  divinity. 
One  says,  '  That  the  purest  elements  have  the 
least  nourishment.'  But  by  the  doctrines  of  the 
other,  the  reverse  is  true. 

It  was  not  the  tempered  clay  that  cured  the  blind 
man,  but  Christ's  anointing  his  eyes  therewith. 
That  was  more  likely,  without  him,  to  make  a 
Q 


170        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

seeing  man  blind,  than  a  blind  man  see.  Thus, 
though  we  may  receive  our  spiritual  sight  in  the 
ordinances,  yet  it  is  not  the  ordinances  which  give 
us  sight. 

It  was  not  the  troubling  of  the  pool  in  Bethesda, 
that  made  it  healing  •  but  the  coming  down  of  the 
angel  into  it.  That  man  must  famish  at  last,  who 
always  feeds  upon  the  dish  instead  of  the  meat. — 
There  is  no  instruction  to  be  got  from  the  sun- 
dial of  duty,  except  the  Sun  of  Righteousness 
shine  upon  it. 

Reader,  it  is  dangerous  for  you  to  take  shelter 
in  your  own  righteousness  •  for  the  lightning  of 
divine  vengeance  which  flashes  before  you,  and 
the  curses  of  the  law  which  thunder  around  you, 
may  suddenly  shake  your  house  about  you.  As 
fast  as  you  lay  on  your  own  plasters,  a  convinced 
and  spiritual  conscience  will  rub  them  off  again. 
Nothing  but  the  grace  of  the  gospel  can  perfectly 
heal  the  wounds  which  a  broken  law  has  made. 
Though  at  the  command  of  Christ  you  may  let 
down  the  net  •  yet  it  is  only  by  the  blessing  of 
Christ  that  you  can  enclose  a  profitable  draught. 

Carnal  people  walk  by  this  principle :  That 
much  is  too  little  for  them,  and  that  little  is  too 
much  for  God  :  but  Christian  people  judge,  that 
as  they  can  never  see  God  according  to  the  great- 
ness of  majesty,  so  they  can  never  serve  him  ac- 
cording to  the  greatness  of  his  mercy. 

When  St.  Paul  wrote  to  Philemon,  concerning 
his  receiving  his  servant  Onesimus  again,  he  used 
this  argument  to  prevail  with  him  :  *  Thou  owest 
unto  me  even  thine  own  self.'     Thus  man  not 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  171 

only  owes  his  services,  but  also  himself,  to  God. 
No  man  can  merit  a  reward  by  paying  his  debts, 
much  less  can  a  sinner  merit  mercy  by  being  an 
insolvent  debtor. 

The  body  of  a  man  can  as  soon  labour  inces- 
santly without  food,  as  the  soul  of  a  Christian  can 
live  continually  without  ordinances. 

St.  Paul's  religion  was  dearer  to  him  than  his 
life.  Neither  count  I  my  life  dear  unto  myself,  so 
that  I  might  finish  my  course  with  joy,  Jesus 
Christ  laid  down  his  precious  life,  to  secure  the 
possession  of  heaven  for  man  3  and  shall  man  re- 
fuse to  lay  out  his  life,  in  pursuing  the  glories  of 
heaven?  Was  heaven  worth  his  passion j  and 
shall  it  not  be  worth  our  seeking  ?  Alas,  what  is 
our  sweat  J  to  his  blood  I 

What  could  Jesus  do  more  than  die  for  us  5  and 
what  can  we  do  less  than  live  to  him  ?  To  whom 
much  is  given,  of  them  much  shall  be  required. 

Can  ye  who  are  Christians  find  out  all  the  good 
which  has  been  bestowed  upon  you,  or  all  the  evil 
that  has  been  forgiven  in  you  ?  Such  is  his  good- 
ness, that  he  deserves  infinitely  more  from  you 
than  he  demands  of  you. 

If  heaven  could  be  obtained  by  human  endeav- 
ours, then  it  must  either  be  of  little  worth,  or  they 
must  be  of  great  value.  But  he  who  puts  an  esti- 
mate upon  all  things  according  to  their  true  value, 
has  said.  When  ye  have  done  all  those  things  which 
are  commanded  you,  say,  We  are  unprofitable  ser- 
vants ',  we  have  done  that  which  was  our  duty  to 
do.  We  are  not  only  unprofitable  when  all  is  to 
be  done,  but  when  all  has  been  done.  We  are 
unprofitable  to  God,  because  he  is  necessarily  and 


172        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

eternally  blessed  without  us ;  we  are  not  profitable 
to  ourselves,  because  without  him  we  shall  be 
everlastingly  cursed  in  ourselves. 

It  is  our  bounden  duty  to  live  in  obedience,  but 
it  will  prove  our  utter  ruin  to  live  on  obedience. 
Heaven  is  either  the  gift  of  mercy,  or  the  reward 
of  duty ;  if  the  latter,  Christ  is  dead  in  vain  5  but 
if  the  former,  we  boast  in  vain.  Fear  not,  little 
Jlock ;  for  it  is  your  Father  s  good  pleasure  to  give 
you  the  kingdom.  Thus  we  see,  that  heaven  is 
not  the  product  of  man's  labour,  but  the  token  of 
God's  good  pleasure. 

Many  proud  sinners  will  labour  hard  in  the 
storms  of  life  and  hurricanes  of  death,  rather  than 
cry  with  Peter,  Lord,  save ^  I  perish!  But  God 
is  determined  that  every  one  shall  die  a  malefactor, 
who  dies  without  a  mediator. 

The  dignity  of  good  works  does  not  lie  in  their 
merit,  but  in  God's  grace  alone  j  for  were  he  to 
examine  and  estimate  them  according  to  the  rigour 
of  the  law,  and  separate  fiom  Christ,  instead  of 
their  being  valuable  as  refined  gold,  they  would 
be  as  despicable  as  worthless  tinsel.  Our  highest 
perfections  are  darkened  with  the  blackest  shades 
of  imperfection.  If  Christ  be  not  the  foundation 
of  our  perfection  on  earth,  he  will  not  be  the  top- 
stone  of  our  salvation  in  heaven. 

Reader,  what  person  would  thank  you  for  hold- 
ing a  candle  to  assist  the  light  of  the  sun  ■  or  what 
prince  would  praise  you  for  setting  a  rough  pebble 
in  his  crown  of  precious  diamonds  ?  How  then  can 
it  be  supposed  that  those  works  which  are  pregnant 
with  mischief,  can  be  pleasing  to  God  ? 

If  man  lay  too  much  weight  upon  the  pillars 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  173 

raised  by  his  own  hands,  he  will  pull  the  building 
upon  his  own  head.  God,  who  cannot  lie,  hath 
said.  So  then,  it  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  nor  of 
him  that  runneth,  hut  of  God  who  sheweth  mercy. 
It  is  not  of  him  that  willeth,  though  it  be  never  so 
heartily  j  nor  of  him  that  runneth,  though  it  be 
never  so  hastily.  Man's  crown  of  glory  is  only 
made  by  the  hand  of  God's  mercy. 

Man's  working  is  not  the  cause  of  God's  grace, 
but  God's  grace  is  the  cause  of  his  working :  the 
creature  may  do  something  against  grace,  but  he 
can  do  nothing  without  it.  It  is  dangerous  to 
hang  the  weight  of  eternity  upon  the  slender  wires 
of  activity.  The  boundless  life  of  felicity  flows 
only  from  the  bottomless  love  of  the  Deity. 

7.  Another  principle  by  which  a  believer  should 
walk,  is  this  :  That  those  precious  promises,  which 
are  given  to  insure  his  happiness,  do  not  supersede 
those  directions  which  are  laid  down  for  him  to  seek 
after  happiness. 

Thus  saith  the  Lord.,  I  will  yet  for  this  he  in- 
quired of  by  the  house  of  Israel,  to  do  it  for  them. 
As  those  under  the  law  were  not  without  a  gospel 
to  save  them  -  so  those  who  are  under  the  gospel 
are  not  without  a  law  to  rule  them.  There  is  the 
same  impropriety  in  divorcing  those  who  are  unit- 
ed, as  in  uniting  those  who  are  divorced. 

^sk,  and  it  shall  he  given  you  ;  seek,  and  ye  shall 
find}  knock,  and  it  shall  be  opened  unto  you.  Con- 
tinued gospel  importunity,  is  the  most  powerful 
oratory.  Man's  importunity  has  no  meritorious 
claim  upon  God  •  God  has  a  right  to  the  former, 
but  we  have  no  right  to  the  latter.  He  who 
q3 


174        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

enables  us  to  find  him,  enjoins  us  to  seek  him.  The 
Lord  delights  neither  to  see  us  slothful  seekers, 
nor  doubtful  seekers. 

He  who  refuses  to  hear  the  voice  of  Christ,  shall 
never  see  the  face  of  Christ.  He  that  saith,  he 
abideth  in  him ;  ought  himself  also  so  to  walk,  even 
as  he  walked.  Then  only  does  the  watch  of  our 
lives  move  regularly,  when  the  hand  of  mercy 
winds  it  up.  The  law  condemns  those  as  crimi- 
nals, who  lay  claim  to  the  crown  royal,  when  they 
are  not  of  the  blood  royal.  Many  would  be  like 
Christ  in  bliss,  who  would  not  be  like  him  by  grace. 
They  are  willing  to  have  those  promises  which 
confirm  them  in  happiness,  but  dislike  those  pre- 
cepts which  are  to  regulate  their  conduct. 

The  Lord  is  our  Judge ;  the  Lord  is  our  Law- 
giver ;  the  Lord  is  our  King ;  he  will  save  us. 
Wheresoever  the  Lord  is  a  Priest  for  pardon,  he 
is  a  Prince  for  dominion.  He  is  always  a  Ruler, 
where  he  is  a  Saviour.  As  Jesus  Christ  is  the 
foundation  of  our  happiness,  so  is  he  the  fountain 
of  all  our  holiness. 

Reader,  remember,  if  Christ  be  not  a  refiners 
fire  in  you,  he  will  be  a  consuming  fire  to  you. 
Those  mine  enemies,  who  would  not  that  I  should 
reign  over  them,  bring  them  hither,  and  slay  thetn 
before  me.  Thus,  if  you  refuse  him  to  reign  over 
you,  he  will  refuse  you  to  reign  with  him. 

As  7nany  as  walk  according  to  this  rule,  peace  be 
on  them.  To  tread  in  any  other  path  on  earth,  is 
to  miss  your  way  to  heaven.  If  the  golden  chains 
of  love  to  God  do  not  bind  you  to  duty,  the  iron 
chain  of  darkness  will  bind  you  eternally.     He 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  175 

who  abuses  his  liberty  in  one  world,  will  for  ever 
lose  it  in  another. 

Blessed  are  they  who  do  his  commandments,  that 
they  may  have  right  to  the  tree  of  life.  To  look 
upon  a  promise  without  a  precept^  is  the  high  road 
to  presumption ;  to  look  upon  a  precept  without  a 
promise,  is  the  high  road  to  desperation.  One  is 
like  the  cork  in  the  net,  to  preserve  it  from  sink- 
ing 3  and  the  other  is  like  lead  to  the  net,  to  keep 
it  from  floating. 

A  believer  is  like  the  mariner's  compass  ;  which 
is  governed  by  the  constant  heavens,  and  not  by 
the  variable  winds.  Reader,  will  you  make  him 
a  stone  of  stumbling,  whom  God  has  made  a  stone 
to  build  upon  ?  Remember,  the  fire  can  consume 
the  dross,  as  well  as  refine  the  gold.  The  strength 
of  a  rock  is  seen  not  only  in  supporting  the  house 
which  is  built  upon  it,  but  in  breaking  the  ships 
which  dash  against  it.  The  pillar  of  a  cloud  was 
as  terrible  in  the  darkness  it  occasioned  to  the 
Egyptians,  as  it  was  glorious  in  the  light  it  gave 
to  the  Israelites. 

Whenever  Christ  takes  the  burden  of  guilt  from 
a  sinner's  shoulders,  he  then  lays  a  yoke  of  obedi- 
ence upon  his  neck.  Though  God  can  give  a 
pardon  to  the  greatest  sin,  yet  he  cannot  grant  a 
patronage  to  the  least  sin.  To  be  lascivious,  be- 
cause God  is  gracious  ;  what  is  this,  but  to  drown 
yourself  in  that  river,  in  which  you  should  wash 
yourself?  To  live  a  life  of  gospel  obedience,  is 
the  liberty  of  God's  children;  but  to  give  your 
licentious  appetite  the  reins,  is  the  bondage  of 
Satan's  slaves. 


176         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

That,  soul  was  never  related  to  Christ,  who  was 
never  devoted  to  Christ.  Not  every  one  that  saith 
unto  me.  Lord,  Lord,  shall  enter  into  the  kingdom 
of  heaven ;  but  he  that  doeth  the  will  of  my  Father, 
who  is  in  heaven.  Subjection  to  the  will  of  God  is 
not  only  a  test  of  our  present  duty,  but  it  is  also 
an  evidence  of  our  future  glory.  To  expect  to  see 
God  in  heaven,  and  not  to  seek  him  on  earth,  is  as 
foolish  as  if  a  husbandman  should  throw  his  plough 
into  the  hedge,  and  then  look  for  a  rich  harvest. 

Sitting  birds  are  the  fowler's  marks ;  while  those 
which  soar  as  the  eagle  are  in  safety.  When  men 
are  out  of  the  way  of  their  worldly  callings,  it  is 
easy  to  call  them  out  of  their  heavenly  way.  God 
works  with  and  without  means.  With,  that  man 
should  not  be  indolent;  and  without,  that  he  should 
not  be  self-confident.  Jacob  makes  his  prayers  to 
an  heavenly  Father,  and  yet  presents  his  gifts  to 
an  angry  brother.  David  went  out  against  Goliah 
in  the  name  of  the  God  of  Israel,  and  yet  repaired 
to  the  brook  for  his  smooth  stones. 

The  sword  of  Joshua  must  go  with  the  prayers 
of  Moses,  and  the  prayers  of  Moses  accompany  the 
sword  of  Joshua.  Had  they  fought  and  not  pray- 
ed, they  would  have  obtained  no  victory,  because 
God  will  not  be  neglected  :  had  they  prayed  and 
not  fought,  they  would  have  obtained  no  victory, 
because  he  will  not  be  tempted. 

This  is  he  who  came  by  water  and  blood,  even 
Jesus  Christ,  He  did  not  come  by  water  without 
any  blood,  or  by  blood  without  any  water.  He 
came  not  to  pardon  and  to  leave  the  soul  unpurged ; 
or  to  purge  and  to  leave  it  unpardoned.     Where- 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  177 

soever  the  death  of  Christ  clears  a  soul  from  guilt, 
the  spirit  of  Christ  cleanses  that  soul  from  filth. 
A  man  may  be  justified  without  immediate  glori- 
fication ;  but  not  without  concomitant  sanctifica- 
tion.  The  law  by  which  God  rules  us,  is  as  dear 
to  him  as  the  gospel  by  which  he  saves  us. 

Many  would  use  faith  as  an  eye  to  see  with,  but 
not  as  a  foot  to  walk  with.  They  look  for  the 
crown  of  victory,  but  are  unwilling  to  fight  the 
good  fight  of  faith.  That  faith  which  sets  men  to 
oppose  their  internal  enemies,  sets  God  also  to 
oppose  their  external  adversaries.  Prayer  is  the 
midwife  of  the  promises.  The  promises  are  wells 
of  comfort  to  the  church,  and  believing  prayer  is 
the  vessel  to  draw  the  water  out  of  the  wells. 

8.  Another  principle  by  which  a  behever  should 
walk,  is  this  :  That  it  is  dangerous  dressing  him- 
self for  another  world,  by  the  looking-glass  of  this 
world. 

Thou  shalt  not  follow  a  multitude  to  do  evil. 
Let  them  be  never  so  mighty,  they  are  not  to  be 
feared :  let  them  be  never  so  many,  they  are  not 
to  be  followed. 

Satan's  herd  of  swine  is  larger  than  Christ's 
flock  of  sheep.  To  infer  that  way  to  be  the  truest 
which  is  the  largest,  is  to  conclude  upon  the  fine- 
ness of  the  cloth  by  the  broadness  of  the  list. 

The  innumerable  crowds  of  people  are  too  much 
like  the  droves  of  cattle  which  go  to  the  slaughter. 
Though  the  number  of  the  children  of  Israel  be  as 
the  sand  of  the  sea,  a  remnant  shall  be  saved.  The 
whole  piece  belongs  to  the  devil ;  but  God  cuts  oft' 
a  remnant  for  himself.  There  are  many  birds  of 
prey,  to  one  bird  of  paradise.     Pebbles  lie  abun- 


178         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

dantly  in  the  streets,  when  pearls  are  difficult  to  be 
found. 

The  scripture  not  only  presents  us  with  an  ac- 
count of  the  purity  of  those  who  shall  be  saved, 
but  also  with  the  smallness  of  their  number. 
Strait  is  the  gate,  and  narrow  is  the  way,  which 
leadeth  unto  life,  and  few  there  he  that  find  it.  The 
Persians  thought  a  crooked  nose  a  great  ornament, 
because  seated  on  the  face  of  their  emperor :  and 
the  whole  court  would  go  awry,  because  such  a 
neck  was  upon  the  shoulders  of  Alexander. 

Great  men's  vices  are  more  imitated  than  poor 
men's  graces.  The  ill  humours  of  the  head  may 
consume  the  vital  parts  of  the  body.  Inferiors 
love  to  go  the  way  which  superiors  are  wont  to  go. 
The  actions  of  their  rulers,  are  too  much  the  rule 
of  their  actions.  Such  people  conceive  by  the  eye, 
like  Jacob's  sheep,  which  brought  forth  their 
lambs  suitable  to  the  colour  of  the  rods. 

Those  who  follow  after  others  in  sinning,  are 
in  danger  of  following  them  in  suffering.  Alas, 
then  the  greatness  of  the  multitude  will  not  extin- 
guish the  flame.  The  number  of  those  immortal 
faggots  will  but  magnify  the  fuiy  of  the  fire. 
*  Many  are  called,  but  few  are  chosen.*  It  is  not, 
many  are  chosen  and  few  called,  but  many  are 
called  and  few  are  chosen. 

Sinners  are  certainly  the  greatest  company,  but 
they  are  also  the  worst  company.  Though  the 
nature  of  believers  be  the  greatest,  yet  their  num- 
bers are  the  smallest. 

Flavus  Vopiscus  said,  'That  all  the  names  of 
the  good  emperors  might  be  engraven  on  a  little 
ring.'     I  will  not  say  there  are  not  any  good  men 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  179 

who  are  great^  but  I  will  say,  that  there  are  not 
many  great  men  who  are  good. 

The  trees  of  righteousness  are  thinly  planted  in 
the  world's  orchard.  As  in  one  righteous  man 
there  are  many  sins,  so  to  one  righteous  man  there 
are  many  sinners.  '  Our  fathers  have  eaten  sour 
grapes,  and  the  children's  teeth  are  set  on  edge.' 
The  generality  of  persons  will  rather  walk  in  the 
way  that  most  people  go,  than  in  the  way  that  the 
best  go.  They  are  like  dead  fish,  which  swim  down 
the  stream  withersoever  it  runs  j  or  like  the  wa- 
ter, which  takes  the  figure  of  the  vessel  in  which 
it  is  contained.  But,  Vox  populi  is  sometimes  Vox 
diaboli ;  that  is,  '  The  voice  of  the  people  is  some- 
times the  voice  of  the  devil.'  Whatsoever  is  en- 
graven upon  the  seal,  is  imprinted  upon  the  wax. 

If  we  would  not  have  the  people  of  the  world  to 
be  our  leaders,  we  shall  be  sure  to  have  them  our 
troublers.  If  they  cannot  seduce  us  into  an  evil 
way,  they  will  oppose  us  in  a  good  way.  If  they 
cannot  scorch  us  with  their  fire,  they  will  try  to 
blacken  us  with  their  smoke.  They  will  speak 
evil  of  us,  because  we  run  not  to  the  same  excess 
of  riot  with  them.  Because  we  refuse  to  play  the 
fool  with  them,  they  will  say  we  are  mad.  Those 
who  would  arrive  where  the  righteous  now  are, 
should  be  found  in  the  road  in  which  they  once 
were.  '  Be  ye  followers  of  them,  who  through 
faith  and  patience  inherit  the  promises.'  What  is 
the  reason  that  there  are  so  many  scribbling  pro- 
fessors in  the  world,  but  that  they  write  after  such 
imperfect  copies  ? 

The  best  of  men  are  but  men  at  the  best.    It  is 


380        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

better  to  imitate  an  evil  man  in  that  which  is  good, 
than  a  good  man  in  that  which  is  evil.  St.  Paul 
said,  *  Be  ye  followers  of  me,'  (but  this  exhorta- 
tion hath  its  limitation)  '  even  as  I  am  of  Christ,' 
Where  he  follows  Christ,  there  we  must  follow 
him :  but  if  a  Paul  forsake  Christ,  we  may  forsake 
even  Paul. 

That  was  a  good  saying  of  Sir  Thomas  More : 
'  I  will  not  pin  my  faith  upon  any  man's  sleeve, 
because  I  know  not  whither  he  will  carry  it.* 
Believers  have  not  only  infirmities  which  are  na- 
tural, but  they  have  also  such  as  are  sinful.  Noah 
was  no  sooner  delivered  from  a  deluge  of  water, 
than  he  was  drowned  in  a  deluge  of  wine. 

The  failings  of  Christians  do  not  flow  from  a 
want  of  grace,  but  from  a  weakness  in  grace  5  not 
from  their  depravity  of  spirit,  but  from  the  cor- 
ruptions of  the  flesh.  As  they  are  not  what  they 
have  been,  so  they  are  not  altogether  what  they 
would  be.  Those  roses  which  are  now  in  blos- 
som, shall  hereafter  be  fully  blown  j  and  the  stars 
which  are  yet  concealed  under  a  cloud,  shall  be 
seen  in  a  clear  sky. 

Those  are  but  suspicious  Christians,  who  will 
take  in  all  that  believers  do,  upon  the  authority 
of  believers.  The  comment  must  be  followed  no 
further  than  while  it  agrees  with  the  text. 

He  is  a  rotten  professor,  who  says  in  his  heart, 
^  Why  may  not  I  be  drunk  as  well  as  Noah,  and 
commit  adulteiy  as  well  as  David  ?'  Did  you  ever 
liear  of  any  who  put  out  their  eyes,  because  others 
were  smitten  with  blindness  ?  Or  of  any  who  cut 
off  their  legs,  because  others  went  on  crutches  ? 


IN  UIS  M£RIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  181 

But  it"  you  have  sinned  as  David  and  Noah  did, 
you  should  also  mourn  as  they  did.  Their  acts  arc 
not  for  our  imitation,  but  for  our  caution.  They 
are  not  land-marks  to  direct  travellers^  but  sea- 
marks to  warn  mariners.  If  a  man  find  a  piece  of 
gold  covered  with  dust,  will  he  preserve  the  dirt, 
and  throw  away  the  gold  ? 

*  You  have  heard  of  the  patience  of  Job.'  Yes, 
and  of  his  impatience  also.  Instead  of  cursing  the 
sin  with  which  he  was  born,  he  cursed  the  day  in 
which  he  was  born. 

You  have  heard  of  the  meekness  of  Moses,  and 
yet  this  even  thread  was  not  without  its  knots. 
While  he  is  bringing  water  out  of  the  rock,  he  is 
also  fetching  fire  out  of  his  own  heart. 

Peter  not  only  forsook  his  Lord,  but  also  for- 
swore him.  Who  would  ever  have  suspected,  that 
he  who  had  his  name  from  an  immoveable  rock, 
should  have  proved  such  a  shaken  reed !  Holy 
men  may  be  good  witnesses  at  the  bar,  but  they 
are  not  always  good  judges  on  the  bench. 

Reader,  if  you  turn  not  your  back  on  Egypt, 
you  may  fall  short  of  the  land  of  Canaan. 

It  was  formerly  the  complaint  of  a  certain  per- 
son, *^That  the  greatest  thieves  did  execution 
upon  the  least.'  But  when  God  comes  to  pass 
sentence,  he  will  bring  every  sinner  to  the  bar. 
His  laws  are  not  like  spiders'  webs,  that  keep  the 
little  flies  prisoners,  but  which  the  greater  will 
break  with  smaller  struggles.  Then  he  will  set  the 
saddle  upon  the  back  of  the  right  horse. 

Though  man  may  have  many  under  him  upon 
earth,  yet  he  has  one  in  heaven  who  is  above  him. 


182  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  Lord  God  called  unto  Adam,  and  said  unto 
him.  Where  art  thou  ?  Not,  Where  wast  thou  ? 
but,  where  art  thou?  Oh  how  quickly  hast  thou 
mortgaged  that  inheritance,  which  I  so  lately  set- 
tled on  thee  in  paradise !  The  woman  whom  thou 
gavest  to  he  with  me,  she  gave  me  of  the  tree,  and 
I  did  eat.  Because  she  put  it  into  his  hands,  was 
that  any  reason  why  he  should  put  it  into  his 
mouth  ? 

The  monsters  of  sin  are  so  hateful  when  they 
are  brought  forth,  that  we  are  unwilling  to  own 
them  ourselves  j  therefore  we  lay  them  at  the  doors 
of  others. 

The  stable  mountains  are  not  so  firm,  but  that 
they  may  be  removed  by  fearful  earthquakes. 
Those  saints  who  have  been  as  the  greatest  stars 
or  suns,  have  at  times  had  their  sad  eclipses. 

9.  Another  principle  by  which  a  believer  should 
walk,  is  this  :  That  wheresoever  sin  proves  hateful, 
it  shall  not  prove  hurtful. 

What  an  apology  doth  a  sorrowful  Saviour  make 
for  his  sleeping  saints  !  The  spirit  is  witling,  but 
the  flesh  is  weak.  Take  a  carnal  man,  and  what 
he  can  do,  that  he  will  not;  take  a  Christian  man, 
and  what  he  would  do,  that  he  cannot. 

Now  impotency  shall  be  pitied,  when  obstinacy 
shall  be  punished.  God  has  mercy  for  his  own  can- 
nots,  but  none  for  the  devil's  will-nots.  Adam's 
want  was  rather  in  his  will  than  in  his  power ;  but  a 
saint's  want  is  rather  in  his  power  than  in  his  will. 
0  that  my  ways  were  directed  to  keep  thy  statutes  ! 
— A  saint's  will  begins,  where  his  work  ends. 

Lord,  I  believe,  help  thou  mine  unbelief     Lord, 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  183 

I  see,  enlighten  my  darkness ;  I  hear,  but  cure 
my  deafness  -,  I  move,  but  quicken  my  dullness ; 
I  desire,  but  help  ray  unwillingness  ;  I  remember, 
but  remove  my  forgetfulness. 

In  playing  over  a  tune  upon  an  instrument,  a 
single  string  may  jar  and  slip,  and  yet  the  main 
be  musical.  It  would  be  folly,  indeed,  to  think 
our  fields  had  no  corn  in  them,  because  there  is 
cbaflf  about  the  wheat  j  or  that  the  ore  had  no  gold 
in  it,  because  there  is  dross  among  it.  In  heaven 
there  is  service  alone  without  any  sin,  in  hell  there 
is  sin  alone  without  service :  but  on  earth,  there  is 
sin  and  service  in  the  same  man,  as  there  is  light 
and  shade  in  the  same  picture. 

Christian  reader,  to  condemn  your  evil,  is  good  j 
but  to  condemn  your  good,  is  evil.  Here  believers 
are  like  the  Israelites,  who  in  their  darkest  night 
had  a  pillar  of  fire  j  and  in  their  clearest  day,  a 
pillar  of  a  cloud.  Above  us  there  is  light  without 
any  darkness  •  below  us  there  is  darkness  without 
any  light  •  but  in  this  world,  it  is  neither  day  nor 
night,  but  in  the  evening  time  it  shall  be  light. 

Though  the  lowest  believer  be  above  the  power 
of  sin,  yet  the  highest  believer  is  not  above  the 
presence  of  sin.  It  is  in  a  living  Christian  that 
lust  is  to  be  mortified,  but  it  is  only  in  a  d5ring 
Christian  that  it  is  to  be  destroyed. 

When  the  body  and  the  soul  are  separated  by 
mortality,  sin  and  the  soul  will  be  separated  to 
eternity.  Though  a  forced  subjection  be  sufficient 
to  satisfy  a  tyrant  -,  yet  it  is  only  a  ready  obedi- 
ence that  proves  homage  to  a  king. 

Sin  never  ruins,  but  where  it  reigns.     It  is  not 


184  TIIK  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

destroying,  where  it  is  disturbing.  The  more  evil 
it  receives  from  us,  the  less  evil  it  does  to  us.  It 
is  only  a  murderer,  where  it  is  a  governor. 

The  rose  is  a  fragrant  flower,  though  it  be  sur- 
rounded with  piercing  thorns.  The  passover  was  a 
feast,  though  the  Israelites  ate  it  with  bitter  herbs. 

There  is  always  too  much  of  the  wild  olive  in 
those  who  are  ingrafted  into  the  true  olive.  Our 
graces  are  our  best  jewels,  but  they  do  not  yield 
their  brightest  lustre  in  this  world.  The  moon, 
when  she  shines  brightest,  has  her  spots ;  and  the 
fire,  when  it  burns  the  hottest,  hath  its  smoke. 

/  said  in  my  haste,  I  am  cut  off  from  before  thine 
eyes;  nevertheless  thou  heardest  the  voice  of  my  sup- 
plication. Who  would  have  thought  those  prayers 
should  ever  have  had  any  prevalency  in  God's  ear, 
which  were  mixed  with  so  much  infidelity  in  the 
petitioner's  heart  ? 

Sin  is  an  enemy  at  the  Christian's  back,  but  not 
a  friend  in  his  bosom.  Although  believers  should 
be  mournful,  because  they  have  infirmities  ;  yet 
they  should  be  thankful,  because  they  are  but  in- 
firmities. It  is  true,  they  have  sin  in  them,  and 
that  should  make  them  sorrowful  •  but  it]  is  as 
true,  that  they  have  a  Saviour  for  them,  and  that 
should  make  them  joyful.  It  is  not  the  interpo- 
sition of  a  cloud,  but  the  departure  of  the  sun, 
which  constitutes  a  night. 

Take  the  purest  believer  in  the  world,  and  you 
will  find  him  fuller  of  sin  than  he  is  of  prayer. 
There  is  too  much  of  the  earth  in  his  most  heaven- 
ly employments.  But  as  Alexander's  painter  could 
find  a  finger  to  conceal  the  scar  on  his  master's 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  185 

face  3  so  when  Jesus  Christ  draws  the  picture  of 
the  saint's  excellency,  he  can  find  a  covering  for 
all  the  scars  of  his  infirmities. 

The  Saviour  looks  over  that  which  is  his  own, 
and  overlooks  that  which  is  his  people's.  Where 
there  is  no  sin  allowed  by  them,  there  shall  be 
grains  of  allowance  to  them.  He  will  not  throw 
away  his  pearls,  for  every  speck  of  dirt  which  may 
be  on  them. 

Though  Christ  honours  grace  in  its  maturity,  yet 
he  owns  it  in  its  minority.  0  thou  of  little  faith, 
wherefore  didst  thou  doubt  ?  Poor  Peter  had  faith 
enough  to  keep  him  from  drowning,  but  not  enough 
to  keep  him  from  doubting.  The  least  buds  draw 
sap  from  the  root,  as  well  as  the  greatest  branches. 
Though  one  star  exceeds  another  in  magnitude,  yet 
both  are  alike  seated  in  the  heavens.  Though  one 
member  of  the  body  be  larger  than  another,  yet 
each  hath  an  equal  conjunction  with  the  head. 

The  conduct  of  a  Christian  may  sometimes  be 
spotted  with  infirmity,  when  the  heart  is  sound  in 
the  love  of  sanctity.  Jacob  halted,  and  yet  was 
blessed.  As  his  blessing  did  not  take  away  his 
halting,  so  his  halting  did  not  keep  away  his 
blessing. 

Hagar  wuU  have  a  room  in  Sarah's  house,  till 
death  turns  her  out  of  doors.  As  death  leaves  the 
body  soulless,  so  it  leaves  the  soul  sinless.  For  if 
there  he  first  a  willing  mind,  it  is  accepted  according 
to  that  a  man  hath,  and  not  according  to  that  he 
hath  not.  God  doth  not  expect  the  cock  to  run 
with  pleasant  water,  when  there  is  none  put  into 
the  cistern. 

r3 


1,86  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  heavenly  Bridegroom  will  not  put  out  a 
believer's  candle,  because  of  the  dimness  of  its 
burning  j  nor  overshadow  a  believer's  sun,  because 
of  the  weakness  of  its  shining. 

Though  that  vice  may  be  found  in  us,  for  which 
he  might  justly  damn  us  3  yet  that  grace  is  to  be 
found  in  him,  by  which  he  can  easily  save  us.  He 
comes  not  with  water  to  extinguish  the  fire_,  but 
with  wind  to  disperse  the  smoke. 

The  sacrifice  of  the  wicked  is  an  abomination 
unto  the  Lord :  because  the  incense  savours  of  the 
hand  that  offers  it.  Not  only  the  wicked  man's, 
designs  against  the  godly  are  sinful ;  but  all  his 
prayers  to  God  are  also  hateful.  Not  so  for  the 
righteous  ;  for,  the  prayer  of  the  upright  is  his  de- 
light. If  the  vessel  of  the  heart  be  clean,  he  will 
taste  of  the  sweet  wine  which  is  drawui  from  it. 
0  my  dove,  that  art  in  the  clefts  of  the  rock,  in  the 
secret  places  of  the  stairs ;  let  me  see  thy  counte- 
nance, let  me  hear  thy  voice,  for  sweet  is  thy  voice, 
and  thy  countenance  is  comely. 

10.  Another  principle  that  a  Christian  should 
walk  by,  is  this  :  That  inward  purity  is  the  ready 
road  to  outward  plenty. 

That  is  but  a  hell-made  proverb  :  Plain  dealing 
is  a  jewel;  hut  he  who  adheres  to  it  shall  die  a 
beggar. 

Though  religion  be  against  our  ease,  yet  it  is 
not  against  our  interest.  O  what  rich  clusters  of 
grapes  hang  all  along  our  way  to  Canaan !  Re- 
ligion is  so  bountiful  a  master,  that  none  need  be 
afraid  of  becoming  its  servant.  But  seek  ye  first 
the  kingdom  of  God,  and  his  righteousness ;  and  all 


IM  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  187 

these  things  shall  he  added  unto  you.  Our  work 
below  is  the  best  done,  when  our  work  for  above 
is  the  first  done.  He  who  has  most  of  heaven  in 
his  heart,  has  not  always  the  least  of  earth  in  his 
hand. 

The  young  lions  lack  and  suffer  hunger.  The 
old  Hons  will  have  it  for  them,  if  it  be  to  be  had. 
But  they  that  seek  the  Lord  shall  not  want  any 
good  thing.  As  they  would  feel  no  evil  thing 
within,  so  they  shall  want  no  good  thing  without. 

He  that  freely  opens  the  upper,  will  never  wholly 
close  the  nether  springs.  There  shall  be  no  silver 
lacking  in  Benjamin's  sack,  while  Joseph  has  it  to 
throw  in.  Grace  is  not  such  a  beggarly  visitant, 
as  will  not  pay  its  own  way.  When  the  best  of 
beings  is  adored,  the  best  of  blessings  are  enjoyed. 

While  the  rough  Esau  of  this  world  hunts  after 
the  venison,  the  smooth  Jacob  shall  cany  away  the 
blessing.  For  the  Lord  God  is  a  sun  and  shield; 
the  Lord  will  give  grace  and  glory ;  and  no  good 
thing  will  he  icithholdfroni  them  that  walk  upright- 
ly. Why  need  a  saint  fear  darkness,  when  he  has 
such  a  sun  to  guide  him  ?  Or  dread  dangers,  when 
he  has  such  a  shield  to  guard  him  ? 

O  Christian,  the  God  whom  you  serve  is  so  ex- 
cellent, that  no  good  can  be  added  to  him  ;  and  so 
infinite,  that  no  good  can  be  diminished  in  him ! 
He  makes  happy,  and  yet  is  not  the  less  happy  y 
he  shews  mercy  to  the  full,  and  yet  remains  full 
of  mercy. 

Sinners  look  upon  times  of  obedience  as  times  of 
hindrance.  They  trust  to  their  own  toiUng,  and 
not  to  God's  undertaking.     They  carry  on  such  a 


188         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

trade  for  the  earth,  as  makes  them  miscarry  in  their 
merchandise  for  heaven.  Though  every  rich  man 
be  not  truly  godly,  yet  every  godly  man  is  truly 
rich. 

The  sun  can  as  easily  diiFuse  its  beams  over  the 
vrhole  world,  as  upon  a  single  field.  What  God 
receives  from  man,  makes  him  no  richer ;  and 
what  man  receives  from  God,  makes  him  none 
the  poorer.  His  goodness  may  be  imparted,  but 
cannot  be  impaired. 

Christian  reader,  if  the  fountain  be  still  running, 
why  should  you  fear  to  fill  your  vessel  ?  The  Lord 
is  my  shepherd,  I  shall  not  want.  The  sheep  of 
Christ  may  change  their  pasture,  but  they  shall 
never  want  a  pasture.  Is  not  the  life  more  than 
the  meat,  and  the  body  than  raiment  ?  If  he  grant 
unto  us  great  things,  shall  we  distrust  him  for  small 
things  ?  He  who  has  given  us  heavenly  beings, 
will  also  give  us  earthly  blessings.  The  great 
husbandman  never  overstocked  his  own  commons. 

Jehu,  who  only  served  God  in  hypocrisy,  had  an 
external  kingdom  3  and  shall  those  who  serve  him 
from  a  principle  of  inward  purity,  be  put  off  with- 
out a  heavenly  kingdom  ?  If  God  valued  counter- 
feit coin  so  much,  how  highly  will  he  esteem  the 
true  gold  !  If  he  drop  so  much  into  a  vessel  of 
wrath,  what  will  he  do  into  a  vessel  of  mercy !  If 
he  give  so  much  to  a  bond-slave  of  hell,  what  will 
he  do  for  a  free-born  child  of  heaven !  Have  I 
been  a  wilderness  unto  Israel,  a  land  of  darkness  ? 
God  was  not  a  wilderness  to  them  when  they  were 
in  the  wilderness.  When  they  wanted  bread,  he 
gave  them  manna  j   when  they  wanted  water,  he 


IX   HIS   MERIDIAN   SVLENUOUR.  189 

opened  a  rock  3  and  though  they^iad  no  new  ap- 
parel, yet  their  old  garments  wore  not  out,  but  as 
their  bodies  grew,  so  their  clothes  grew.  Thus 
they  were  never  better  off,  than  when  they  were 
ready  to  give  up  all  as  lost. 

O  how  good  is  the  believer's  God,  who  not  only 
shortens  his  pilgrimage  for  him,  but  also  sweetens 
it  to  him  !  Had  Christians  too  much  of  temporal 
things,  they  might  care  too  little  for  spiritual 
things.  Daniel  appeared  better  with  his  homely 
pulse,  than  the  Babylonians  with  all  their  royal 
diet.  Some  have  rowed  safely  in  a  narrow  river, 
and  been  drowned  aftervi-ard  in  a  large  sea.  A 
little  is  sufficient  to  him  who  with  it  enjoys  God's 
all-sufficiency. 

Naked  godliness  is  so  full  a  spring,  that  it  will 
not  let  the  Christian  perish  for  w^ant  of  water. 
Let  the  people  praise  thee,  0  God,  let  all  the  people 
praise  thee  !  (What  then  ?)  Then  shall  the  earth 
yield  her  increase,  and  God,  even  our  own  God, 
shall  bless  us.  Our  unthankfulness  is  the  cause  of 
the  earth's  unfruitfulness.  While  man  is  blessing 
God  for  his  mercies,  he  is  blessing  man  with  his 
mercies. 

Some  are  afraid  of  religion,  because  they  sup- 
pose they  shall  lose  all  their  earthly  mammon  while 
they  are  seeking  heavenly  manna.  They  think  that 
piety  is  the  greatest  enemy  to  prosperity.  Could 
they  but  reap  profit  by  praying,  they  would  be 
found  more  at  prayer.  Ignorant  worldlings  look 
upon  gain  as  their  greatest  godliness,  and  not  on 
godliness  as  their  greatest  gain.  But  a  golden 
plaster  is  a  poor  application  for  a  wounded  con- 


190        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

science.  When  the  worm  of  carnality  is  gnawing 
at  the  root  of  religious  performances,  all  the  for- 
malist's blooming  hopes  will  fade,  and  die  away 
at  last. 

Godliness  is  profitable  to  all  things ;  having  the 
promise  of  the  life  that  now  is,  and  of  that  which  is 
to  come.  Who  knows  how  many  rich  productions 
there  are  in  the  pleasure-garden  of  religion !  There 
is  mellow  fruit  in  it  for  every  day  in  the  year. 

Blessed  is  the  man  that  feareih  the  Lord,  and 
delighteth  greatly  in  his  commandments :  wealth 
and  riches  shall  he  in  his  house ;  and  his  righteous- 
ness endureth  for  ever.  All  worldly  gain,  while 
we  live,  we  may  lose  it  ■  and  when  we  die,  we 
must  leave  it :  but  in  keeping  God's  commandments 
there  is  great  reward.  There  is  a  reward  of  God's 
approbation  in  life  ;  of  his  confirmation  in  death  j 
and  of  his  complete  salvation  in  glory. 

In  earthly  services  the  master  enjoys  the  profit; 
but  in  religious  services  the  servant  enjoys  it.  And 
the  ark  of  the  Lord  continued  in  the  house  of  Obed- 
Edom,  the  Gitite,  three  months:  and  the  Lord  bless- 
ed Obed-Edom,  and  all  his  household.  The  ark 
was  not  blessed  for  the  sake  of  his  household,  but 
his  household  was  blessed  for  the  sake  of  the  ark. 
The  ark  of  God  always  pays  for  its  entertainment, 
wheresoever  it  dwells. 

Many  will  side  with  religion,  while  they  can 
live  upon  it  3  and  desert  it  when  it  must  live  upon 
them.  But  that  saying  is  yet  true  ;  '  Godliness 
with  contentment  is  great  gain.'  It  is  only  the 
Christian  man,  who  is  the  truly  contented  man ; 
and  what  are  our  enjoyments  without  content- 


IN   HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR-  191 

ment  ?  What  is  a  great  possession,  if  wedded  to 
great  vexation?  Wicked  men  make  this  world 
their  treasure,  and  God  makes  it  their  torment. 
When  they  want  estates,  they  are  troubled  for 
them ;  when  they  have  estates,  they  are  troubled 
with  them ;  and  when  they  would  drink  of  the 
river,  God  disturbs  the  water. 

Reader,  if  you  know  nothing  of  Christ,  I  wish 
you  to  remember,  that  when  you  come  to  die  you 
will  find  religion  necessary  ;  and  while  you  live, 
you  will  find  it  profitable.  The  purest  honey  is 
gathered  out  of  the  hive  of  holiness.  The  ways 
of  iniquity  are  the  ways  of  beggary.  It  is  but 
reasonable  that  God  should  fall  out  with  those  in 
the  course  of  his  providence,  who  fall  oft'  from  him 
in  the  course  of  their  obedience. 

In  wisdom's  right  hand  is  length  of  days ;  and 
in  her  left  hand  riches  and  honour.  Look  to  which 
hand  you  will,  and  you  will  find  it  full. 

11.  Another  principle  that  a  believer  should 
walk  by,  is  this  :  That  all  the  time  which  God 
allows  him,  is  but  enough  for  the  work  which  he 
allots  him. 

Man  that  is  born  of  a  woman,  is  of  few  days,  and 
full  of  trouble.  Nature's  womb  sometimes  prove9 
nature's  tomb. 

With  many  it  is  ebb  water,  before  the  tide  be 
at,  the  full.  The  lamps  of  their  lives  are  wasted 
almost  as  soon  as  they  are  lighted.  The  sand  of 
their  hour-glass  is  run  out,  when  they  think  it  is 
but  newly  turned. 

When  men  feel  sickness  arresting,  then  they 
fear  death  is  approaching.     But  we  begin  to  die. 


192  THE  NONSUCH   PROFESSOK 

as  soon  as  ever  we  begin  to  live.  Every  man's 
passing-bell  hangs  in  his  own  steeple.  Take  him 
in  his  four  elements,  of  earth,  air,  fire,  and  water. 
In  the  earth,  he  is  as  fleeting  dust ;  in  the  air,  he 
is  as  a  disappearing  vapour  j  in  the  water,  he  is  as 
a  breaking  bubble ;  and  in  the  y?re,  he  is  as  con- 
suming smoke. — Many  think  not  of  living  any 
holier,  till  they  can  live  no  longer :  but  one  to-day 
is  worth  two  to-morrows. 

Reader,  you  know  not  how  soon  the  sails  of 
your  life  may  be  rolled  up,  or  how  nigh  you  are 
to  your  eternal  haven  3  and  if  you  have  not  Jesus 
as  your  pilot  within  you,  you  will  sufler  an  eternal 
shipwreck. 

Poor  soul,  what  will  you  do,  if  you  begin  to  die 
naturally,  before  you  begin  to  live  spiritually! 
How  will  you  look,  if  the  tabernacle  of  nature  be 
taken  down,  before  the  temple  of  grace  be  raised 
up  !  What  must  you  feel,  if  your  paradise  be  laid 
waste,  before  the  tree  of  hfe  be  set  in  it !  How 
can  you  bear  to  give  up  the  ghost,  before  you  have 
received  the  Holy  Ghost  ?  Eternal  will  be  your 
darkness,  if  the  sun  of  your  life  set  within  you 
before  the  Sun  of  Righteousness  shine  upon  you. 
Woe  be  to  you,  if  your  body  be  turned  into  the 
earth,  before  your  soul  be  fit  to  be  taken  into  hea- 
ven. If  the  second  birth  have  no  place  in  you,  the 
second  death  will  assuredly  have  power  over  you. 

One  excellently  compares  our  life  to  a  day.  In- 
fancy is  the  day  dawn  ;  youth  is  the  sun  rising  j 
full  growth  is  the  sun's  meridian  ;  and  old  age  is 
the  setting  sun.  By  the  light  of  the  day,  the  Lord 
helps  us  to  do  the  work  of  the  day.     0  that  thou 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  193 

licuht  known  in  this  thy  day,  the  things  that  belong 
to  thy  peace;  but  now  they  are  hidjroni  thine  eyes ! 
O  how  just  is  it,  that  they  should  miss  of  heaven 
at  last,  who  never  seek  for  heaven  till  the  last ! 
How  reasonable  is  it,  that  God  should  deny  them 
his  grace  to  repent,  who  abuse  his  grace  to  sin  ! 

It  is  a  maxim,  that  every  thing  hath  a  principle 
to  return  to  its  own  source.  The  rivers  which 
have  their  eflux  from  the  sea,  have  their  reflux  to 
the  sea.  Out  of  the  dust  man  was  formed,  and 
therefore  into  the  dust  man  will  be  turned.  Aged 
reader,  how  much  of  your  life  is  gone,  and  yet 
how  little  of  God  is  known  !  How  can  you  ap- 
pear before  God,  if  you  are  not  found  in  God? 
Your  being  ancient  in  days,  will  be  no  plea  for 
you  before  the  Ancient  of  Days.  If  you  have  not 
Christ  the  hope  of  glory  in  you,  you  must  have 
Christ  the  God  of  glory  against  you.  If  you 
partake  not  of  what  Christ  has  done,  you  will  be 
eternally  undone. 

O  you  fresh  picture  of  youth,  how  lovely  will 
you  appear,  if  hung  up  in  heaven's  palace  !  And 
will  you  spend  your  youthful  life  in  following 
youthful  lusts }  Do  you  not  know  that  the  blos- 
som is  as  subject  to  be  nipped,  as  the  flower  to  be 
withered  3  and  the  spark  to  be  extinguished,  as 
the  flame  to  be  consumed  ?  Veins  full  of  blood 
may  be  emptied  by  an  accident,  as  soon  as  those 
that  are  leakish  with  old  age.  As  there  are  none 
too  old  for  eternity,  so  there  are  none  too  young 
for  mortality.  In  Golgotha  there  are  skulls  of  all 
sizes.  Tell  me,  how  will  you  hve  when  you  die, 
if  you  are  dead  while  you  live  ?     Every  step  that 


194  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

your  body  takes,  is  towards  the  earth  :  O  that  every 
step  your  soul  takes  may  be  towards  heaven ! 

The  vine  that  bringeth  forth  no  grapes,  shall  be 
cut  down  as  well  as  that  which  bringeth  forth  wild 
grapes.  O  how  sad  is  it,  to  be  taken  out  of  the 
world  before  we  are  taken  oft  from  the  world  I 
To-day,  if  ye  will  hear  his  voice,  harden  not  your 
hearts.  We  have  but  a  day  wherein  we  are  called 
to  repent  J  and  therefore,  should  repent  while  it  is 
called  to-day.  He  is  the  deafest  adder,  who  stops 
his  ears  to  the  voice  of  the  sweetest  charmer.  The 
Lord  hath  made  a  promise  to  late  repentance,  but 
he  hath  not  made  a  promise  of  late  repentance.  If 
the  heart  of  man  be  not  now  thawed,  it  may  be 
for  ever  frozen. 

A  pardon  is  sometimes  given  to  a  thief  at  the 
gallows ;  but  he  who  trusts  to  that,  sometimes  hath 
a  rope  for  his  wages.  Boast  not  thyself  of  to-mor- 
row ;  for  thou  knowest  not  what  a  day  may  bring 
forth.  Man  is  such  a  purblind  creature,  that  he 
cannot  unerringly  see  a  day  before  him.  O  see  the 
end  of  one  day,  before  you  glory  in  the  beginning 
of  another ! 

Many  man's  days  deceive  him  •  they  pass  away 
like  a  shadow  by  moonshine,  which  appears  long- 
est when  the  moon  is  lowest.  You  may  not  have 
half  a  day  to  live,  when  you  think  that  you  have 
not  lived  out  half  your  days. 

The  night  cometh,  wherein  no  man  can  work. 
The  grave  is  a  bed  to  rest  in,  but  not  a  shop  to 
trade  in.  There  is  no  setting  up  under  ground, 
for  those  who  have  neglected  their  souls  above 
ground. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  195 

When  the  soul  takes  her  flight  from  her  loving 
mate  the  body,  they  shall  meet  no  more  till  the 
great  day  of  retribution.  Behold,  now  is  the  ac- 
cepted time ;  behold,  now  is  the  day  of  salvation  ! 
Opportunities  are  for  eternity,  but  not  to  eternity. 
Mercy's  clock  does  not  strike  at  the  sinner's  back. 
Where  the  means  of  grace  are  greatest,  there  they 
are  often  the  shortest.  You  may  be  unhappy  all 
your  days,  for  despising  the  happiness  of  these 
days. 

That  was  a  sad  cry  of  one :  '  My  life  is  done,  but 
my  work  is  undone.'  Go  to  the  ant,  thou  slug- 
gard; consider  her  ivays,  and  be  wise.  Though 
the  summer  of  life  be  but  just  opening,  yet  the 
winter  of  death  is  approaching :  and  how  can  you 
live  in  that  winter,  if  there  be  no  honey  in  your 
hive  in  this  summer  ? 

Seek  ije  the  Lord  while  he  may  be  found,  call  ye 
upon  him  while  he  is  near.  O  young  person,  the 
sufferings  of  eternal  death  are  but  the  consequence 
of  your  wilful  contempt  of  eternal  life.  Methinks 
the  worth  of  such  a  heavenly  pearl  as  Christ  should 
sparkle  in  your  eyes.  O  that  you  may  walk  in  the 
light  of  that  sun,  by  the  beams  of  which  you  may 
see  your  way  to  heaven  !  No  disease  is  more  fa- 
tal, than  that  Avhich  stimulates  you  to  reject  the 
restoring  medicine.  What  a  sad  thing  is  it,  that 
such  mines  of  grace  should  be  opened,  and  not  a 
penny  of  this  treasure  fall  to  your  share  !  Come, 
I  trust  you  are  are  not  gone  so  far  in  sin  as  to  be 
beyond  all  hope  of  returning.  A  returning  prodi- 
gal may  yet  meet  with  a  welcome  reception.  The 
eternal  Father  is  yet  a  tender  father.     He  delights 


196         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

to  see  a  repenting  prodigal  j  to  hear  a  mourning 
Ephraim  ;  and  help  a  sinking  Peter. 

How  much  time  has  God  bestowed  upon  man, 
before  ever  he  has  returned  any  of  it  to  him  again ! 
It  is  good  to  have  an  ark  prepared^  before  that 
deluge  come  in  which  you  may  be  overwhelmed. 
Remember  that  God  can  as  easily  turn  you  into 
dust,  as  he  could  take  you  out  of  the  dust.  Delays 
are  no  more  numerous,  than  they  are  dangerous. 
Before  you  can  do  good,  you  must  be  made  good. 
For  who  will  look  for  water  from  a  drained  liver  • 
or  that  sweet  grapes  should  grow  upon  a  withered 
vine  ? 

For  a  man  to  make  his  soul's  concern  his  last 
concern  ;  what  is  this,  but  as  if  a  husbandman 
should  be  putting  in  his  plough,  when  he  should  be 
thrusting  in  his  sickle  ?  Know,  O  man,  that  there 
is  but  one  heaven ;  miss  of  that,  and  where  will 
you  take  up  your  lodging,  but  in  hell !  A  vicious 
man's  life  expires  like  a  tallow  candle,  leaving  an 
ungrateful  savour  behind  it ;  but  a  gracious  man's 
life  expires  like  a  wax  candle_,  that  leaves  a  sweet 
perfume  behind  it. 

12.  Another  principle  that  a  Christian  will  walk 
by,  is  this  :  That  there  can  never  he  too  great  an  es- 
trangement from  defilement. 

He  who  now  gives  way  to  the  least  sin,  may  be 
given  up  to  the  greatest  sins.  We  are  never  far 
enough  from  lust,  while  we  are  on  earth  j  or  near 
enough  to  Christ,  while  we  are  out  of  heaven.  A 
sound  eye  cannot  endure  the  least  spot.  O,  stand 
off  from  the  devil's  mark,  unless  you  ^vould  be  hit 
by  his  arrows. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  197 

Abstain  from  all  appearance  of  evil.  The  clo- 
sing in  with  the  appearance  of  evil,  is  the  first  step 
to  the  accomplishment  of  the  most  enormous  evil. 
A  spark  of  fire  will  easily  catch  in  a  box  of  tinder, 
A  picture  in  the  glass  may  inflame,  as  well  as  the 
picture  in  the  face.  Little  streams  will  find  a 
passage  to  the  great  sea.  Christian  reader,  re- 
striction is  a  good  chain  to  transgression.  Why 
should  you  venture  on  slippery  places,  who  can 
scarcely  stand  upon  the  firmest  ground  ? 

As  faith  is  a  grace  that  feeds  all  the  rest,  so  fear 
is  a  grace  that  guards  all  the  rest.  That  man  who 
is  the  most  watchful,  is  the  least  sinful.  He  may 
quickly  be  cast  down  by  a  sinful  temptation,  who 
is  already  prepared  for  it  by  a  sinful  occasion. 
Who  will  pity  that  man  whose  house  is  blown  up 
with  powder,  if  he  keep  his  barrels  in  the  chim- 
ney corner  ? 

Such  is  the  monstrous  wickedness  of  men,  that 
they  use  spurs  and  whips  to  that  horse,  which  ot 
itself  rushes  too  fast  into  the  battle.  Though  the 
streams  and  currents  of  their  own  lusts  carry  them 
too  swiftly  already,  yet  they  hoist  up  sails  to  en- 
tertain the  devil's  winds.  But  such  have  a  title 
good  enough  for  hell,  without  so  much  trouble  to 
make  it  surer. 

The  fowler  spreads  his  net,  but  the  wings  of  the 
bird  carry  her  into  it.  Do  you  murmur  for  want 
of  liberty,  and  yet  surrender  yourself  to  slavery  ? 
If  you  would  not  step  into  the  harlot's  house,  you 
should  not  go  by  the  harlot's  door.  If  you  would 
not  gather  the  forbidden  fruit,  then  beware  how 
you  look  on  the  tree  where  it  grows. 
s3 


198         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

To  pray  against  temptations,  and  yet  to  rush  into 
occasions^  is  to  thrust  your  fingers  into  the  fire,  and 
then  pray  that  they  might  not  be  burnt.  The  fable 
saith, '  That  the  butterfly  enquired  of  the  owl,  how 
she  should  do  with  the  candle  which  had  singed  her 
wings  ?  The  owl  counselled  her,  not  so  much  as 
to  behold  the  smoke.'  If  you  hold  the  stirrup,  no 
wonder  satan  get  into  the  saddle. 

The  fort- royal  of  your  souls  is  in  danger  of  a 
surprise,  while  the  out-works  of  your  senses  are 
unguarded.  Your  eyes,  which  may  be  floodgates 
to  pour  out  tears,  should  not  be  casements  to  let 
in  lusts.  A  careless  eye  is  an  index  to  a  graceless 
heart.  Remember  the  whole  world  died  by  a 
wound  in  the  eye.  The  eyes  of  a  Christian  should 
be  like  sun-flowers,  which  are  opened  to  no  blaze 
but  that  of  the  sun. 

To  keep  the  eyes  and  not  regard  the  ears,  is  as  if 
a  man  should  shut  the  casements  of  his  house,  and 
leave  the  doors  open  to  the  thief.  I'he  ear  is  an 
instrument  that  the  devil  loves  to  play  upon.  As 
your  ears  are  joined  to  your  head  on  earth,  so  they 
should  be  fastened  to  your  head  in  heaven. 

Your  tongue,  which  should  be  tuned  for  God's 
glory,  should  not  be  turned  to  your  own  shame. 
By  the  striking  of  those  clappers,  we  guess  at  the 
metal  of  the  bell.  Thou  art  a  Galilean;  thy  speech 
bewrayeth  thee.  A  soul  without  its  watch  is  like 
a  city  without  its  wall,  exposed  to  the  inroad  of  all 
its  enemies.  We  need  a  sun  to  dispel  our  dark- 
ness, and  a  shield  to  repel  our  dangers.  The  earth 
is  not  so  apt  to  be  over-run  with  thorns,  as  the 
mind  would  with  sins,  did  not  our  great  Gardener 
prevent  their  growth. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  199 

Those  who  would  not  fall  into  the  river,  should 
beware  how  they  approach  too  near  to  its  banks* 
He  that  crashes  the  egg,  need  not  fear  the  flight 
of  the  bird.  He  who  would  not  drink  of  the  wine 
of  wrath,  let  him  not  touch  the  cup  of  pleasure. 
He  who  would  not  hear  the  passing-bell  of  eternal 
death,  should  not  finger  the  rope  of  sin.  A  person 
who  carries  gunpowder  about  him,  can  never  stand 
too  far  from  the  fire.  If  we  accompany  sin  one 
mile,  it  will  compel  us  to  go  twain.  It  swells  like 
Elijah's  cloud,  from  the  size  of  a  man's  hand  to 
such  an  expansion,  as  to  cover  the  whole  sky. 

Let  him  that  thinketh  he  stands,  take  heed  lest  he 
fall.  You  will  quickly  lose  your  standing,  if  you 
are  fearless  of  falling.  He  that  abstains  from  no 
lawful  thing,  may  soon  be  brought  to  commit 
something  that  is  sinful.  Many  a  man  hath  been 
thrown  out  of  the  saddle  of  profession,  by  riding 
with  too  slack  a  rein  of  circumspection. 

Little  sins  are  not  like  an  inch  of  candle,  which 
soon  expires  •  but  they  resemble  a  train  of  powder, 
which  takes  fire  from  corn  to  corn,  till  at  last  the 
barrel  be  burst  asunder.  An  honest  matron  will 
blush  to  be  found  in  the  dress  of  a  wanton  woman. 
Reader,  will  you  invite  that  into  the  chamber  of 
your  heart,  which  brought  Christ  into  the  manger? 
Is  your  house  so  largely  built,  that  you  can  afford 
that  an  harbour,  which  you  know  to  be  a  traitor  ? 

Having  even  the  garment  spotted  hij  the  Jlesh. 
Those  garments  which  are  defiled  with  the  leprosy 
of  sin,  must  either  be  cleansed  by  the  priest,  or 
burnt  without  the  camp.  If  a  sick  man  dislike 
the  cup  out  of  which  he  took  his  nauseous  physic. 


200         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

how  shonld  he  refuse  and  abhor  that  which  is  fill- 
ed with  deadly  poison  !  A  behever  disbands  those 
auxiliaries,  who  have  assisted  his  adversaries. 

If  Achan  handle  the  golden  wedge,  his  next 
work  will  be  to  steal  it.  If  Ruth  lie  at  the  feet  of 
Boaz,  her  next  remove  may  be  into  his  bed.  If 
you  take  the  devil's  cup  into  your  hand,  it  is  to  be 
feared  that  you  will  quickly  lift  it  to  your  head. 

13.  Another  principle  by  which  a  believer  should 
walk,  is  this :  That  whatsoever  is  temporally  enjoy- 
ed^ should  be  spiritually  improved. 

All  that  a  believer  receives,  is  from  the  hand  of 
divine  bounty  j  and  employed  to  the  end  of  the 
divine  glory.  Others  make  an  earthly  use  of 
heavenly  things  5  but  he  makes  a  heavenly  use  of 
earthly  things.  God  can  put  a  golden  bias  into  a 
leaden  bowl,  that  it  may  run  true  to  him  who  made 
it.  The  more  he  oils  our  wheels  on  earth,  the 
swifter  our  chariots  move  to  heaven.  Grace  can 
teach  how  to  plume  the  wings  of  riches,  and  in- 
struct us  how  to  lay  up  that  treasure  in  heaven^ 
which  comes  out  of  the  bowels  of  this  earth. 

There  is  a  divine  chemistry,  which  can  extract 
the  purest  spirits  out  of  the  most  gross  and  feculent 
matter.  The  beast  on  the  altar  differs  not  in  kind 
from  the  beast  at  the  slaughter.  There  is  a  lawful 
craft  of  coining  our  money  over  again,  and  adding 
the  image  and  superscription  of  God  to  that  which 
is  Caesar's.  It  is  said  of  the  philosopher's  stone, 
that  it  turns  whatsoever  it  touches  into  gold. 

Whatever  mill  a  saint  has  going  in  the  world, 
he  will  spread  the  sails  of  it  for  the  wind  of  divine 
approbation,  that  it  may  move  round  for  God's 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  201 

glory.  When  God  sets  him  up  above  the  world, 
then  he  holds  up  God  to  the  world. 

It  is  unequal,  to  be  hot  in  our  prayers,  and  cold 
in  our  praises.  Many  will  cry  aloud.  Give  us  this 
day  our  daily  bread-  and  whisper  out.  Hallowed  be 
thy  name !  This  is  like  opening  our  windows  to 
admit  the  light,  and  then  shutting  them  closely  to 
keep  out  the  sun.  We  too  frequently  lay  our  pipes 
to  convey  the  water  into  our  cisterns,  and  then 
turn  the  cock  against  the  spring. 

It  cannot  be  praise-worthy  to  remember  God  in 
our  necessities,  and  then  forget  him  in  our  pros- 
perity. His  kindness  is  as  proper  a  ground  for 
praising  him,  as  his  promise  is  for  praying  to  him. 
If  under  our  miseries  we  can  seek  God  with  dili- 
gence ;  then  under  the  weight  of  his  mercies  we 
should  praise  him  with  cheerfulness.  Mercies  are 
such  gifts  as  advance  our  debts.  It  is  as  unpleasant 
to  see  a  Christian  in  an  ungrateful  temper,  as  it 
is  unnatural  to  see  Pharaoh's  lean  kine  in  a  fat 
pasture. 

If  God  give  us  any  enjoyment,  it  is  for  his  own 
entertainment.  Well  may  those  hands  reap  the 
fruits,  which  set  the  plants.  Is  he  not  worthy  to 
feed  at  that  table,  which  his  own  hands  have 
spread  ? — Where  former  blessings  have  been  ac- 
knowledged, there  future  blessings  shall  be  en- 
joyed. He  shall  never  want  mercy,  who  does  not 
wanton  with  mercy.  When  man  fights  against 
God  with  his  gifts,  he  fights  against  himself  with 
his  own  sins. 

Take  a  wicked  man,  and  you  will  not  find  him 
led  to  God,  by  that  which  comes  from  God.     He, 


202  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

like  the  sea,  turns  the  sweetest  showers  into  the 
saltest  waters.  The  greater  substance  he  has  from 
God,  the  less  service  has  God  from  him.  Like  the 
moon,  he  is  furthest  from  the  sun  when  he  shines 
with  the  greatest  splendour.  The  more  a  dunghill 
has  the  sun-beams  upon  it,  the  more  noisome  is 
the  effluvia  arising  from  it. 

Sinners,  instead  of  having  vials  full  of  odours, 
have  hearts  full  of  evils.  How  many  are  there, 
who  are  highly  above  others  m  false  greatness,  and 
yet  are  greatly  below  them  in  real  goodness  !  To 
turn  from  God  while  he  is  blessing  them,  is  worse 
than  to  turn  from  him  when  he  is  smiting  them. 

Jesus  answered.  Many  good  works  have  I  shewed 
you  from  my  Father:  for  which  of  these  good  works 
do  ye  stone  me  ?  He  shewed  them  his  Father's 
goodness,  and  they  stoned  him  for  the  goodness  he 
had  shewed.  They  were  like  ^sop's  snake,  which 
lay  still  in  the  frost,  but  stung  him  who  laid  it  in 
his  bosom.  If  it  be  a  sin  to  return  unto  man  evil 
for  evil ;  what  must  it  be  to  return  unto  God  evil 
for  good  ? 

When  we  taste  the  generous  wine,  we  should  not 
forget  the  tree  whereon  the  grapes  grew.  When 
we  are  refreshed  by  the  rolling  streams,  it  would 
be  well  to  remember  the  spring  from  whence  they 
arose. — A  load  of  earth  has  crushed  many  a  man 
to  death.  The  richer  some  professors  have  been 
without,  the  poorer  they  have  been  within. 

Notwithstanding  the  pious  pretences  of  the  Ro- 
mish conclave,  the  Indians  have  brought  more  of 
the  Spaniards  to  worship  their  gold,  than  ever  the 
Spaniards  brought  of  the  Indians  to  worship  their 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  203 

God.  The  former  have  made  more  infidels  than 
the  latter  have  Christians. 

Outward  mercies  to  our  bodies  are  divine  baits, 
which  are  sometimes  laid  to  catch  our  souls.  God 
tries  the  vessel  with  water,  that  he  may  fill  it  with 
generous  wine.  Every  stream  leads  an  observant 
believer  to  the  fountain-head.  The  more  God's 
hand  is  enlarged  in  blessing  him,  the  more  his 
heart  is  enlivened  in  blessing  God. 

Where  the  sun  of  mercy  shines  hottest,  there  the 
fruits  of  grace  grow  fastest.  In  the  book  of  nature, 
we  may  read  the  God  of  nature.  The  creature  is 
like  a  tuned  instrument,  and  the  Christian's  hand 
can  strike  it  to  the  Redeemer's  praise. 

As  a  saint  has  an  heart  to  seek  God  in  what  he 
has  promised,  so  he  has  a  hand  to  serve  him  with 
Avhat  he  possesses.  The  greater  the  wages  are 
which  he  previously  receives,  the  better  is  the 
work  which  he  performs.  If  he  has  five  talents 
committed  to  him,  he  gets  five  more.  If  he  has 
one,  he  improves  none.  The  more  a  merchant 
adventures  at  sea,  the  greater  are  the  returns  ex- 
pected at  land.  The  tallest  vines  should  always 
bear  the  sweetest  grapes,  because  they  lie  most 
open  to  the  sun.  It  is  sacrilege  to  possess  the 
largest  crops,  and  return  to  God  the  smallest 
tythes  of  gratitude. 

There  is  a  requital  of  evil  for  evil,  this  is  blame- 
able  3 — of  good  for  good,  this  is  laudable  ; — of  evil 
for  good,  this  is  abominable- — of  good  for  evil, 
and  this  is  admirable. 

The  April  showers  which  invigorate  the  herbage 
and  beautify  the  spring,  do  likewise  bring  forth 
many  offensive  croaking  frogs. 


204        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Man  should  resemble  the  rivers,  which,  as  they 
receive  their  rise  from  the  sea,  are  restlessly  re- 
turning to  their  source.  Who  is  so  unworthy  of 
God's  blessing  as  man  ?  and  who  is  so  worthy  of 
man's  praises  as  God? 

Beloved,  we  have  not  longer  enjoyed  the  bless- 
ings of  the  earth,  than  we  have  abused  them ; 
which  gives  too  much  cause  to  fear,  that  though 
the  child  of  mercy,  like  Jacob,  has  put  forth  his 
hand,  yet  the  child  of  judgment,  like  Esau,  may 
supersede  him. 

The  devout  Bernard  observes,  'That  ingratitude 
is  a  parching  wind,  which  will  dry  up  the  springs 
of  bounty,  and  dews  of  clemency.' 

Man  was  formed  the  last  of  the  creation,  that 
he  might  contemplate  upon  God  through  every 
creature.  Beloved,  when  you  survey  the  spacious 
firmament,  and  behold  it  hung  with  such  resplen- 
dent bodies  3  then  think,  that  if  the  suburbs  be  so 
beautiful,  what  must  the  city  be  I  What  is  the 
footstool  he  makes,  to  the  throne  whereon  he  sits ! 
W^hen  you  view  the  evening  star  above  you,  then 
reflect  upon  the  morning  star  within  you. 

When  you  sit  down  at  your  table  to  meat,  let 
this  be  your  first  course  j  how  happy  are  all  those 
who  shall  eat  bread  in  the  kingdom  of  Christ ! 
Those  are  the  rarest  feasts,  which  are  graced  with 
the  most  royal  guests. 

When  you  see  the  winged  travellers  swiftly  part 
the  yielding  elements,  or  the  winding  rivers  hast- 
ening to  their  origin  3  then  consider,  how  rapidly 
the  little  rivers  of  opportunity  are  pushing  their 
way  to  the  great  ocean  of  eternity. 

When  you  are  decorating  your  body  with  the 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  205 

varieties  of  art,  then  reflect  how  the  eternal  Word 
put  on  the  rough  suit  of  humanity.  Think  how 
Mercy  undressed  itself,  to  cover  you  with  its  gar- 
ments ! 

When  you  take  off  your  apparel,  then  remember, 
that  you  must  put  off  this  tabernacle.  Be  going 
to  your  bed,  as  if  you  were  going  to  your  grave  j 
and  so  close  your  eyes  in  one  world,  as  if  you  were 
immediately  to  open  them  in  another. 

When  you  behold  your  garden  stored  with  trees, 
and  richly  laden  with  fruit,  then  contemplate  upon 
the  great  Husbandman  the  true  vine,  and  his  believ- 
ing branches.  It  cannot  be  so  pleasant  to  see  our 
orchards  bearing  fruits  for  us,  as  it  is  to  God  to  see 
us  bring  forth  fruit  to  him. 

When  you  gaze  upon  the  stately  buildings,  the 
shady  groves,  the  crystal  streams,  the  pleasant 
meadows,  and  all  the  pomp  of  wicked  men  •  then 
think,  if  sinners  go  away  with  such  large  messes, 
what  shall  Benjamin's  portion  be  !  If  the  chil- 
dren of  the  concubines  have  such  possessions,  what 
shall  be  the  inheritance  of  the  children  of  promise ! 
If  the  dogs  fare  so  well  beneath  the  table,  how 
must  the  children  fare  at  it !  Give  me  that  eye 
which  can  see  God  in  all ;  that  hand  which  can 
serve  God  with  all  -,  and  that  heart  that  can  bless 
him /or  all. 

14.  Another  principle  that  a  Christian  is  to  walk 
by,  is  this  :  That  he  should  speak  well  of  God, 
whatsoever  evil  he  receives  from  God. 

While  the  water  is  quiet,  the  mud  lies  at  the 
bottom  ;  but  when  it  is  disturbed,  it  rises  to  the 
top.    Every  cock-boat  can  swim  in  a  shallow  river 3 

T 


206         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

but  it  must  be  a  strong  vessel  that  ploughs  the 
troubled  ocean.  Tlie  Lord  giveth  and  the  Lord 
taketh  away;  blessed  be  the  name  of  the  Lord, 
He  gives  before  he  takes,  and  takes  but  what  he 
gives.  The  hour-glass  of  outward  happiness  soon 
runs  out.  To-day  Job  is  the  richest  man  in  all 
the  east,  to-morrow  Job  is  the  poorest  man  in  all 
the  world  3  yet  his  heart  was  like  a  fruitful  para- 
dise, when  his  estate  was  like  a  barren  wilderness. 
Though  God  burnt  up  his  out-house,  yet  his  palace 
was  left  standing. 

Outward  mercies  are  like  the  tide,  which  ebbs 
as  well  as  flows  ; — like  the  sky,  which  sometimes 
is  clear,  and  at  another  time  clouded ; — or  like  a 
budding  flower,  which  a  warm  day  opens,  and  a 
cold  day  shuts  again.  If  God  bless  us  in  taking 
as  well  as  in  giving,  let  us  bless  him  for  taking  as 
well  as  for  giving. 

That  is  a  choice  artist,  who  can  play  well  upon 
a  broken  instmment.  To  be  impatient  with  our 
affliction,  and  patient  with  our  corruption,  is  to 
be  angry  with  the  medicine  which  heals  us,  and  in 
love  with  the  poison  which  kills  us. 

Beloved,  it  is  sometimes  in  mercy  to  us  that 
God  removes  outward  mercies  from  us.  He  never 
wounds  a  saint  to  kill  him,  but  to  heal  him.  A 
gracious  person  once  said,  '  Though  I  am  some- 
times full  of  pains,  yet  I  am  at  all  times  full  of  pa- 
tience :  I  often  mourn  under  my  corruption,  but 
I  never  murmur  under  my  affliction.'  Some  can 
rejoice  in  any  thing  but  Christ,  and  grieve  for  any 
thing  but  lust. 

Too  many  think  that  God  is  cutting  down  the 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  207 

tree,  when  he  is  but  lopping  oft*  its  luxuriant 
branches.  They  imagine  that  he  is  demolishing 
the  superstructure,  when  he  is  only  laying  a  right 
foundation.  Poor  souls,  he  is  not  nipping  the 
flowers,  but  plucking  up  the  weeds  -,  he  is  not  lay- 
ing your  land  fallow,  but  ploughing  the  field  j  he 
is  not  putting  out  the  light,  but  snuffing  the  can- 
dle. Providence  hath  a  beautiful  face  under  a 
black  mask.  God  has  the  fairest  ends  in  the  foul- 
est ways.  The  sheep  may  be  dipped  in  the  water 
to  wash  it,  when  there  is  no  design  in  the  good 
shepherd  to  drown  it. 

Christian  reader,  you  may  read  the  marks  of  a 
father  in  the  stripes  of  his  children.  Every  twig 
of  the  black  rod,  is  but  to  draw  his  image  upon 
you. — Could  we  but  bury  our  friends  alive,  we 
should  not  mourn  so  much  for  them  when  they  are 
dead.  Did  not  the  possession  of  the  riches  some- 
times draw  away  our  hearts,  then  the  loss  of  them 
Avould  not  break  our  hearts. 

Son  of  man,  behold  I  take  away  the  desire  of 
thine  eyes  with  a  stroke.  What,  though  he  take  a 
wife  out  of  your  bosom,  so  he  take  her  into  his 
own  ?  You  may  embrace  a  creature  till  you  kill 
it  with  kindness  j  and  wither  the  sweetest  flowers 
by  smelling  them  too  often.  God  doth  but  take 
that  out  of  your  hands,  which  would  thrust  him 
out  of  your  heart. 

He  that  mingles  his  passions  with  his  afflictions, 
is  like  a  foolish  patient,  who  chews  the  pills  he 
should  swallow  whole.  He  that  carnally  disturbs 
his  soul  for  the  loss  of  his  substance,  casts  away 
the  kernel  because  God  hath  taken  away  the  shell. 


208         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

If  the  tree  yield  us  good  fruit,  it  will  be  no  very 
great  loss,  though  the  wind  blow  away  the  leaves. 
To  bless  God  for  mercies,  is  the  way  to  increase 
them  J  to  bless  God  for  miseries,  is  the  way  to  re- 
move them.  No  good  lives  so  long,  as  that  which 
is  thankfully  improved  3  no  evil  dies  so  soon,  as 
that  which  is  patiently  sustained. 

God  can  make  a  plaster  of  a  disease,  and  bring 
soundness  to  the  inward  man  by  the  sickness  of  the 
outward  man.  If  he  stop  up  all  your  light,  it  is 
but  to  make  you  fairer  windows.  When  the  stars 
do  not  shine,  the  sun  appears,  repairing  the  loss 
of  the  smaller  lights  with  brighter  beams.  In  the 
loss  of  withered  nosegays,  you  may  smell  at  flow- 
ers fresh  on  the  stalk.  When  Christians  have 
their  candles  put  out,  they  may  fetch  their  light 
from  the  sun  •  and  when  they  have  their  streams 
cut  off,  they  may  drink  at  the  spring  head. 

The  birds  of  paradise  make  the  swiftest  flight 
when  they  have  the  smallest  feathers.  These  night- 
ingales warble  the  most  sweetly,  when  they  set 
their  breasts  against  the  thorns.  The  creature 
often  interrupts  the  respects  which  we  owe  to  our 
Creator  •  and  then  no  w^onder  if  he  break  the  cis- 
tern to  bring  us  unto  the  fountain.  Those  who  are 
found  blessing  God  under  all  their  losses,  shall  find 
God  blessing  them  after  all  their  losses. 

15.  Another  principle  by  which  a  Christian 
should  walk,  is  this  :  That  the  longer  God  forbears 
with  the  unrelenting  sinner  in  life,  the  sorer  he 
strikes  him  in  the  judgment-day. 

Divine  patience  is  to  be  adored  by  all,  and 
abused  by  none.     Sinners  usually  take  God's  for- 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  209 

bearance  for  their  acquittance.  Because  they  sin 
unpunished  for  a  time,  they  imagine  there  is  no 
punishment  for  sin  in  eternity.  They  forget  that 
it  is  one  thing  to  forbear  the  debtor,  and  another 
to  forgive  the  debt. 

Because  sentence  against  an  evil  work  is  not  exe- 
cuted speedily,  therefore  the  heart  of  the  sons  of  men 
is  fully  set  in  them  to  do  evil.  Because  the  Lord 
continues  to  spare  them,  therefore  they  go  on  to 
provoke  him.  As  he  adds  to  their  lives,  so  they 
add  to  their  lusts.  What  is  this,  but  as  if  a  man 
should  break  all  his  bones,  because  there  is  a  sur- 
geon who  is  able  to  set  them  again  ? 

Christian  reader,  you  are  greatly  in  debt  to  Di- 
vine Justice  •  but  mercy  stopped  the  awful  arrest 
of  vengeance.  Many  others  have  been  taken  from 
the  earth  by  a  sudden  arrow  darted  from  heaven. 
Adultrous  Zimri  and  Cozbi  unloaded  their  lives 
and  their  lusts  at  the  same  time. 

Because  justice  seems  to  wink,  men  suppose  her 
blind}  because  she  delays  punishment,  they  ima- 
gine she  denies  to  punish  them ;  because  she  does 
not  always  reprove  them  for  their  sins,  they  sup- 
pose she  always  approves  of  their  sins.  But  let 
such  know,  that  the  silent  arrow  can  destroy  as 
well  as  the  roaring  cannon.  Though  the  patience 
of  God  be  lasting,  yet  it  is  not  everlasting. 

Believer,  the  sword  of  justice  is  dipped  in  the 
oil  of  mercy  for  your  sake  j  and  it  dismembers 
some  parts  of  your  body,  that  the  whole  might  not 
be  destroyed. 

He  that  being  often  reproved  hardens  his  neck, 
shall  suddenly  be  destroyed,  and  that  without  re- 
t3 


210        THE  NONSUCH  PROPESSOK 

medy.  God  loves  all  men  so  as  io  feed  and  forbear 
them  5  yet  he  loves  but  few  men  so  as  to  forgive 
them.  He  M^as  six  days  in  making  the  whole 
world,  and  seveji  days  in  destroying  one  city.  Our 
garrisons  are  fairly  summoned,  before  they  are  fu- 
riously stormed.  If  God's  warnings  are  not  sanc- 
tified to  us,  his  vengeance  will  be  executed  upon 
us.  It  is  sad  for  the  iron  to  gather  rust  under 
the  file. 

Reader,  remember,  that  if  you  be  corrected,  the 
Lord  takes  the  scourge  out  of  your  own  house.  I 
gave  her  space  to  repent  of  her  fornication,  but  she 
repented  not.  Many  have  the  space  of  repentance, 
who  have  not  the  grace  of  repentance.  But  what 
follows  ?  Behold,  I  will  cast  her  into  a  bed,  and 
them  that  commit  adultery  with  her  into  great  tri- 
bulation, except  they  repent  of  their  deeds.  Sinners 
may  cast  themselves  upon  a  bed  of  fake  hope;  but 
justice  will  cast  them  into  a  bed  of  real  torment. 

Mark  how  the  long-slumbering  arm  of  Deity 
awakes  to  the  prey  :  I  have  a  long  time  holden  my 
peace,  I  have  been  still  and  refrained,  myself;  now 
will  I  cry  like  a  travailing  woman ;  I  will  destroy 
and  devour  at  once.  The  longer  God  is  in  fetch- 
ing about  his  hand,  the  heavier  will  the  blow  be 
when  it  falls. 

Security  resembles  a  flash  of  lightning,  which 
ushers  in  a  clap  of  thunder  j  or  it  is  like  a  pro- 
found calm  at  sea,  which  is  generally  succeeded 
by  a  dreadful  storm. 

Know,  sinner,  that  God  can  dip  his  hand  in 
your  blood,  and  yet  fetch  out  the  stains. 

He  is  pleased  sometimes  to  shake  your  feeble 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  211 

cottage  before  he  throws  it  down  •  he  often  makes 
it  totter  before  it  tumbles.  It  may  be  a  fair  sun- 
shiny season  with  you  iiow^  but  a  whirlwind  may 
soon  arise  and  dash  you  to  pieces. 

We  pity  a  body  that  is  going  to  the  block  ;  and 
shall  we  not  pity  a  soul  that  is  hastening  to  the  bot- 
tomless pit  ?  He  dies  the  most  comfortably,  who 
lives  the  most  heavenly.  It  is  easier  for  a  bird  to 
avoid  the  snare,  than  to  break  the  snare.  The  very 
beasts  will  shun  the  places  where  their  own  species 
have  miscarried. 

The  rising  sun  in  the  morning  was  no  proof 
that  Sodom  should  not  be  entombed  in  its  own 
ashes  before  the  evening.  That  day  which  begins 
in  prosperity,  may  end  in  adversity. 

Attend  to  the  charge  which  the  King  of  heaven 
brings  against  the  priests  of  Israel :  These  things 
hast  thou  done,  and  I  kept  silence ;  thou  thoughtest 
that  J  was  altogether  such  an  one  as  thyself  ^  but  I 
will  reprove  thee,  and  set  them  in  order  before  thee. 
But  what  is  the  application  of  this?  Consider 
this,  ye  thai  forget  God,  lest  I  tear  you  in  pieces, 
and  there  be  none  to  deliver  you.  Justice  propor- 
tions the  sinner's  smart  to  his  fault  5  so  that  we 
may  behold  the  greatness  of  the  offence  in  the  fit- 
ness of  the  punishment. 

If  the  wicked  turn  not,  he  hath  whet  his  sword  • 
he  hath  bent  his  bow,  and  made  it  ready.  The 
whetting  of  the  sword  is  but  to  give  a  keener  edge 
that  it  may  cut  the  deeper.  God  is  silent  as  long 
as  the  sinner  will  let  him ;  but  when  the  sword  is 
whet,  it  is  to  cut  •  and  when  the  bow  is  bent,  it  is 
to  kill  j  and  woe  be  to  that  man  who  is  the  butt. 


212        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Enraged  justice  will  avenge  the  quarrel  of  abus- 
ed mercy  -,  for  it  is  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  the 
hands  of  the  living  God.  It  is  a  good  thing  to  fall 
at  his  feet,  but  a  fearful  thing  to  fall  into  his  hands. 
The  stronger  the  enemy's  arm  is,  the  stronger  will 
bis  blow  be.  Never  did  a  weary  traveller  complain 
of  being  at  his  journey's  end  too  soon.  But  a  sin- 
ner, if  he  die  soon,  it  does  but  hasten  his  torment  3 
and  if  he  live  long,  it  does  but  heighten  his  tor- 
ment. 

Ah,  what  a  sad  vision  is  that,  where  the  black 
horse  of  death  precedes,  and  the  red  horse  of  wrath 
follows  after !  Needs  must  one  fear  come  upon 
the  back  of  another,  when  one  death  comes  upon 
the  neck  of  another. 

Sinner,  how  fearful  is  it  to  be  preserved  from 
small,  and  reserved  for  great  evils !  The  higher 
you  are  raised,  the  greater  will  be  your  fall.  You 
may  wonder  more  at  the  divine  indulgence  which 
has  so  long  reprieved  you,  than  at  the  Almighty 
vengeance  w^hich  so  soon  overtakes  you.  You 
were  dry  enough  for  eternal  flames,  when  you 
were  wrapped  in  your  swaddling  bands :  for  you 
were  by  nature  a  child  of  wrath,  even  as  others. 
All  who  draw  their  first  breath  in  corruption,  de- 
serve to  draw  their  second  in  destmction.  It  is  a 
wonder  that  he  should  add  to  our  days,  when  we 
are  adding  to  our  sins. 

God  has  his  vials  of  wrath  filled  with  indigna- 
tion, for  those  who  are  vessels  of  wrath  fitted  for 
destruction.  If  his  long-suffering  does  not  draw 
the  sinner  to  repentance,  his  severity  will  drown 
him,  in  desperation.     O  sinner,  either  seek  a  Sa- 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  213 

vioiir  to  deliver  you  from  the  wrath  of  God,  or 
else  find  a  shoulder  to  bear  you  up  under  the 
wrath  of  God. 

16.  Another  principle  by  which  a  Christian 
should  walk,  is  this  :  That  there  is  no  judging  of 
the  inward  conditions  of  men  by  the  outward  dis- 
pensations of  God. 

The  greatness  of  our  estates  is  no  argument  of 
the  goodness  of  our  hearts.  To  prize  ourselves  by 
what  we  have,  and  not  by  what  we  are,  is  to  es- 
timate the  value  of  the  jewel  by  the  golden  frame 
which  contains  it.  Grace  and  gold  can  live  to- 
gether J  but  the  smallest  degree  of  the  former  in 
the  heart,  is  preferable  to  a  chain  of  the  latter 
about  the  neck. 

That  old  complaint  may  justly  be  revived  :  Bo- 
nis male,  malis  bene.  Here  it  is  sometimes  evil  with 
the  righteous,  and  well  with  the  Avicked.  Those 
who  live  most  upon  God,  fare  worst  from  the 
^vorld. 

Under  the  law,  the  dove  was  preferred  in  sacri- 
fice to  the  swine.  Riches  are  called  thick  clay. 
They  are  more  likely  to  weaken  the  back  than 
strengthen  the  heart. 

No  man  can  know  love  or  hatred  by  any  thing 
that  is  before  him.  You  cannot  read  the  wrath  of 
God  in  the  black  lines  of  adversity,  or  the  love  of 
God  in  the  white  lines  of  prosperity. 

God  often  wrings  out  the  waters  of  a  full  cup 
to  wicked  men,  though  there  be  dregs  at  the  bot- 
tom. They  may  be  fruitful  vines,  and  yet  only 
laden  with  sour  grapes.  It  is  seldom  that  the 
sparkling  diamond  of  a  great  estate  is  set  in  the 
golden  ring  of  a  converted  heart. 


214        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Riches  have  made  many  good  men  worse,  but 
they  never  made  any  bad  men  better.  Thus  if  we 
discern  but  a  spark  of  grace  in  a  nobleman,  we  cry 
it  up  as  a  blazing  comet,  and  speak  of  it  in  the  su- 
perlative degree. 

Though  a  Christian  be  made  happy  in  the  world, 
yet  he  is  not  made  happy  by  the  world.  Give  me 
those  judgments  which  give  birth  to  mercy,  rather 
than  those  outward  mercies  which  give  birth  to 
judgments.  There  are  many  who  are  temporally 
happy,  who  will  be  eternally  miserable ;  and  many 
are  now  temporally  miserable,  who  will  be  eternally 
happy. 

If  indigence  could  procure  heaven,  how  many 
poor  people  would  then  be  saved  •  and  if  wealth 
could  free  a  man  from  hell,  how  very  few  of  the 
rich  would  be  damned !  The  kingdom  of  Christ 
is  the  kingdom  of  the  cross.  Those  who  attempt 
to  take  the  cross  from  the  Christian's  shoulders,  do 
in  effect  aim  to  remove  the  crown  from  his  head. 

He  maketh  his  sun  to  rise  on  the  evil  and  on  the 
good,  and  sendeth  rain  on  the  just  and  on  the  unjust. 
The  sun  of  prosperity  shines  upon  the  dunghill  as 
well  as  upon  beds  of  spices.  The  rain  of  adversity 
falls  upon  the  fruitful  garden  as  well  as  upon  the 
barren  wilderness.  The  abundance  of  the  infidel 
is  as  a  golden  chain  to  bind  him  to  the  earth,  and 
the  apparent  miseries  of  the  believer  are  as  fiery 
chariots  to  convey  him  to  heaven. 

And  now  we  call  the  proud  happy :  yea,  they 
that  work  wickedness  are  set  up  :  yea,  they  that 
tempt  God  are  even  delivered,  God's  jewels  may 
here  be  trodden  under  foot,  but  hereafter  they  wiU 
be  fixed  in  the  royal  diadem.     If  we  look  for  a 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  215 

saint,  he  is  not  always  to  be  found  upon  a  bed  of 
down,  but  sometimes  he  has  been  seen  upon  a  heap 
of  dust.  Poor  Lazarus  rises  to  heaven,  and  rich 
Dives  sinks  to  hell. 

Benjamin  was  not  the  less  regarded  by  Joseph, 
because  the  silver  cup  was  discovered  in  his  sack. 
We  must  not  i^fer  the  absence  of  God's  affections 
from  the  presence  of  numerous  afflictions.  Though 
the  north  wind  may  chill  us,  yet  the  beams  of  sum- 
mer can  soon  revive  us.  Those  stones  which  are 
designed  for  the  building,  are  frequently  wounded 
by  the  chisel  3  while  those  which  are  neglected, 
lie  in  ruinous  heaps. 

A  saint  is  glorious  in  his  misery,  but  a  sinner  is 
miserable  amidst  all  his  glory.  We  must  not 
therefore  think  evil  of  religion,  though  we  should 
behold  a  Joseph  in  the  prison,  while  a  Pharaoh  is 
in  a  palace  ^  or  a  Job  on  the  ground,  while  a  Ju- 
lian is  on  a  throne.  The  most  curious  pearls  are 
often  enclosed  in  the  most  rugged  shells.  Judge 
not  according  to  appearance,  but  judge  righteous 
judgment.  Those  who  judge  of  a  man's  real  great- 
ness by  his  apparent  grandeur,  are  unfit  to  sit  up- 
on the  bench.  That  apple  has  not  always  the 
soundest  core,  which  has  the  fairest  skin. 

The  tinsel  glare  upon  a  sinner  is  too  apt  to  of- 
fend the  weak  eyes  of  a  saint.  Alas,  why  should 
he  envy  him  a  little  light,  who  is  to  be  shrouded 
in  everlasting  darkness  ?  Why  should  we  throw 
bludgeons  at  those  boughs,  which  are  only  laden 
with  poisonous  fruits  ? 

Deliver  my  soul  from  the  wicked,  who  have  their 
portion  in  this  life ;  whose  belly  thoufillest  with  thy 


216        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

hid  treasure.  The  things  of  the  world  are  the  only 
happiness  of  the  men  of  the  world.  None  of  their 
flowers  grow  in  paradise.  They  are  anxious  for 
the  creature,  and  indifferent  about  the  Redeemer. 

A  man's  estate  in  this  world  may  be  great,  and 
yet  his  state  for  another  world  may  be  fearful. 
God  may  say  to  him  as  to  Pharaoh,  For  this  pur- 
pose have  I  raised  thee  up,  that  I  might  shew  my 
power  upon  thee.  The  same  hand  which  now 
pours  abundance  on  ungodly  men  like  oil,  will 
soon  pour  down  wrath  upon  them  like  water. 
Under  all  their  wealth,  their  hearts  are  sinful; 
and  after  all  their  riches  are  fled,  their  situation 
will  be  doleful.  It  is  far  better  to  pass  through 
the  valley  of  Baca  to  Zion,  than  to  pitch  our  tents 
in  the  plains  of  Sodom. 

Luther's  expression  was  not  the  less  true  be- 
cause it  was  homely :  '  The  whole  Turkish  empire 
is  but  a  crust,  which  God  threw  to  the  dogs.'  One 
said,  'I  would  rather  have  Paul's  coat,  with  his 
heavenly  graces,  than  the  purple  robes  of  princes, 
with  all  their  kingdoms.' 

Lest  riches  should  be  accounted  evil  in  them- 
selves, God  sometimes  gives  them  to  the  righteous  j 
and  lest  they  should  be  considered  as  the  chief 
good,  he  frequently  bestows  them  on  the  wicked. 
But  they  are  more  generally  the  portion  of  his  en- 
emies, than  his  friends. 

Alas,  what  is  it  to  receive,  and  not  to  be  receiv- 
ed? to  have  none  other  dews  of  blessing,  than 
such  as  shall  be  followed  with  showers  of  brim- 
stone? We  may  compass  ourselves  with  sparks 
of  security,  and  afterward  be  secured  in  eternal 


IN   HIS    MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  217 

misery.  This  world  is  a  floating  island,  and  so 
sure  as  we  cast  anchor  upon  it,  we  shall  be  carried 
away  by  it. 

God,  and  all  that  he  has  made,  is  not  more  than 
God  without  any  thing  that  he  has  made.  He  can 
never  want  treasure,  who  has  such  a  golden  mine. 
He  is  enough  without  the  creature,  but  the  creature 
is  not  any  thing  without  him.  It  is  therefore  bet- 
ter to  enjoy  him  without  any  thing  else,  than  to 
enjoy  every  thing  else  without  him.  It  is  better  to 
be  a  wooden  vessel  filled  with  wine,  than  a  golden 
one  filled  with  water. 

17.  Another  principle  by  which  a  Christian 
should  walk,  is  this  :  That  it  is  safest  to  cleave  to 
that  good  which  is  the  choicest. 

There  never  was  one  who  thought  he  had  made 
a  bad  market,  by  selling  all  for  the  pearl  of  great 
price. 

Lord,  to  whom  shall  we  go  ?  for  thou  hast  the 
words  of  eternal  life.  Peter  knew  that  a  soul  who 
was  changed,  was  not  for  changing.  There  cannot 
be  a  better  being  for  us,  than  for  us  to  be  with  the 
Lord :  and  shall  those  who  have  forsaken  all  to 
follow  him,  forsake  him  again  to  follow  nothing? 

Reader,  you  cannot  tread  in  the  steps  of  Christ, 
without  drinking  of  the  cup  of  Christ.  The  near- 
er you  are  to  such  a  spring,  the  clearer  will  your 
streams  be.  When  every  other  gourd  is  withered, 
he  will  prove  a  refreshing  shelter. 

How  precious  are  thy  thoughts  unto  me,  0  Godj 
how  great  is  the  sum  of  them  I  If  I  should  count 
them,  they  are  more  in  number  than  the  sand :  when 
I  awake,  I  am  still  with  thee.     David  was  least 


218        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

alone,  when  he  was  most  alone.  His  heart  was 
like  the  needle  in  the  compass,  which  always  in- 
clines to  the  northern  pole.  Believers  are  desir- 
ous of  leaving  their  hearts  with  God  one  day,  that 
they  may  find  them  with  him  another  day. 

Whom  have  I  in  heaven  but  thee  ?  and  there  is 
none  upon  earth  that  I  desire  besides  thee.  Let  a 
believer  search  heaven  and  earth,  yet  he  can  find 
nothing  comparable  to  God  :  and  indeed  he  must 
be  a  conjuror  at  discovery  if  he  could.  As  Judah 
said  of  Jacob,  '  His  life  is  bound  up  in  the  life  of 
the  lad  j'  so  say  I  of  a  Christian,  his  life  is  bound 
up  in  the  life  of  God.  To  be  near  to  him  in  hap- 
piness, is  to  draw  near  to  him  in  holiness. 

Many  unstable  professors  may  justly  be  reflected 
upon.  They  will  readily  attend  an  applauded 
Christ,  but  will  hastily  desert  a  crucified  Christ  j 
but  a  true  Christian  is  as  willing  to  follow  him  to 
the  cross,  as  to  the  throne.  He  has  no  desire  to 
turn  like  a  shadow  from  him,  in  whom  there  is  no 
shadow  of  turning. 

As  there  is  no  natural  good  in  us  to  lead  us  to 
God,  so  there  is  no  evil  without  us  that  shall  final- 
ly draw  us  from  him.  Who  but  an  idiot  would 
address  a  picture  instead  of  a  person  -,  or  prefer  a 
shadow  to  a  substance  ?  There  is  nothing  can  do 
us  so  much  good  as  God's  presence,  or  so  much 
evil  as  his  absence. 

It  is  far  better  to  part  with  a  thousand  worlds 
for  one  Christ,  than  with  one  Christ  for  a  thousand 
worlds.  How  dreadful  is  their  darkness  who  live 
in  the  absence  of  such  a  sun ! 

Reader,  every  step  you  take  to  Christ,  is  a  step 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  219 

towards  heaven  ;    and  every  step  you  take  from 
him,  is  a  mortal  step  towards  hell. 

And  he  was  sorrowful  at  that  saying,  and  went 
away  grieved,  for  he  had  great  possessions.  This 
poor  rich  man,  or  rather,  this  rich  poor  man,  came 
hastily  to  Jesus,  and  ran  heavily  from  him.  If  he 
may  not  enjoy  God  and  mammon,  he  will  leave 
God  for  mammon.  One  was  for  selling  all,  but 
the  other  for  saving  all.  Ah,  what  false  balances 
are  those,  which  will  make  corruptible  silver  out- 
weigh an  incorruptible  Saviour ! 

The  prince  of  darkness  employs  the  men  of  the 
world  to  draw  us  from  God,  and  the  things  of  the 
world  to  keep  us  from  God.  Truly  that  good  was 
never  worth  seeking,  that  is  not  worth  keeping. 

Reader,  is  it  not  a  fault  to  depart  from  that  God, 
in  whom  there  is  no  fault  ?  As  Saul  said  to  his 
servants.  Hear  now,  ye  Benjamites ;  will  the  son  of 
Jesse  give  every  one  of  you  fields  and  vineyards,  and 
make  you  all  captains  of  thousands,  and  captains 
of  hundreds  ?  So  say  I  to  sinners  :  Can  sin,  satan, 
or  the  world,  do  that  for  you,  which  God  can  ?  It 
is  only  the  best  of  beings,  who  can  convey  the  best 
of  blessings.  None  but  that  God  who  has  the  keys 
of  heaven,  can  open  the  gates  of  heaven.  By  him 
we  obtain  admittance  into  the  celestial  inheritance. 

What  is  our  life  but  a  warfare  3  and  what  is  the 
world  but  a  thoroughfare  ?  Know,  sinner,  if  you 
reject  the  Saviour,  you  despise  grace,  which  is  the 
fairest  jewel  on  earth  •  and  glory,  which  is  the 
brightest  sun  beyond  this  life. 

No  set  of  men  are  in  greater  danger  of  losing 
the  life  to  come,  than  those  who  are  contented  with 
the  present.     A  drop  is  more  easily  dried  up  than 


220        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

a  river  -,  and  a  spark  sooner  extinguished  than  a 
flame. 

What  powerful  constraints  does  our  God  lay 
upon  us  to  seek  his  friendship  I  /  will  never  leave 
thee,  nor  forsake  thee.  It  would  be  better  for  us 
to  leave  all  behind,  than  that  he  should  leave  us 
behind.  It  is  not  the  brightest  star  that  can  con- 
stitute day,  when  the  sun  is  set ;  nor  the  thickest 
cloud  that  can  make  a  night,  if  it  be  risen. 

18.  Another  principle  by  which  a  Christian 
should  walk,  is  this  :  That  no  present  worldly  bu- 
siness should  interrupt  his  pursuit  of  future  blessed- 
ness, 

Solomon  says,  j^ll  the  labour  of  man  is  for  his 
mouth.  Though  he  says  it  is  so,  yet  he  does  not 
say  it  should  be  so.  This  w^ould  not  be  for  a  hea- 
then to  commence  Christian,  but  for  a  Christian  to 
become  a  glutton. 

That  hawk  which  follows  the  world's  prey,  is 
in  danger  of  falling  into  God's  snare.  Why  should 
I  lay  out  that  time  in  seeking  pebbles,  which  may 
be  better  employed  in  search  oi  jewels  ?  What 
God  bestows  on  some  men  as  a  temporary  pension, 
they  embrace  as  their  only  portion.  Such  foolish 
travellers  are  so  taken  up  with  the  inn,  as  to  for- 
get the  end  of  their  journey.  They  may  indeed 
sow  this  seed,  but  it  will  produce  nothing  but 
wormwood. 

Outward  mercies  are  not  so  mean  as  to  be  total- 
ly neglected  ;  nor  so  great  as  to  be  primarily  desir- 
ed. If  they  be  seducements  from  the  mercy-seat, 
they  will  prove  indictments  at  the  judgment-seat. 

I  may  say  of  the  earth,  as  a  philosopher  said  of 
Athens,  '  It  may  serve  for  a  transient  lodging,  but 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  221 

not  for  a  constant  dwelling.'  Outward  plenty 
may  be  a  comfortable  ship  for  indigence  to  sail  in  j 
but  it  is  a  dangerous  rock  for  confidence  to  build 
upon.  Give  some  people  the  earth  in  their  hands, 
and  they  care  not  who  has  heaven  in  his  heart. 

When  Crates  threw  his  gold  into  the  sea,  he 
cried  out.  Ego  perdam  te,  ne  tu  perdas  me.  That 
is,  *  I  will  destroy  you,  lest  you  should  destroy  me.' 
Thus,  if  the  world  be  not  put  to  death  here,  it  will 
put  us  to  death  hereafter.  Then  we  shall  say,  as 
Cardinal  Wolsey,  when  discarded  by  his  prince, 
and  abandoned  to  the  fury  of  his  enemies :  '  If  I 
had  served  my  God  as  faithfully  as  ray  king,  he 
would  not  have  thus  forsaken  me.*  Poor  man,  all 
the  perfumes  on  earth  are  unable  to  prevail  over 
the  stench  of  hell. 

It  would  be  well  for  Christians,  could  they  say, 
as  Erasmus :  '  I  desire  riches  no  more  than  a  feeble 
beast  wishes  for  a  heavy  burden.'  Cares  are  bound 
to  crowns.  Anxiety  disfigures  the  face  of  prosperity, 
and  renders  it  like  a  crystal  glass  blown  up  by  im- 
pure breath.  A  body  laden  with  cares,  and  a  soul 
laden  with  spiritual  fruits,  cannot  well  unite  togeth- 
er. Those  who  die  trifling  with  salvation,  will  after 
death  tremble  under  the  pains  of  damnation. 

I  have  heard  of  a  woman  who,  being  busied  to 
save  her  goods  when  her  house  was  in  flames,  for- 
got her  child ;  but  the  child  being  soon  after  in- 
quired for,  she  cried  out,  'O  my  child,  my  child'.' 
Thus  will  many  thoughtless  sinners,  in  a  worse  fire, 
cry  out, '  O  our  souls,  our  souls !'  Poor  Sisera  was 
not  much  better  for  the  milk  and  butter,  when  he 
so  soon  after  felt  the  nail  and  the  hammer. 
u3 


222         THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

Ah  !  how  careful  are  men  of  their  outward,  and 
how  careless  about  their  inward  concerns !  In  a 
vigourous  body  there  is  a  vicious  soul.  The  evil 
disposition  of  the  latter  spoils  the  good  composi- 
tion of  the  former. 

For  a  man  to  be  attentive  to  his  flesh,  and  inat- 
tentive to  his  spirit ;  what  is  this,  but  as  if  a  hus- 
bandman should  gather  in  his  stubble,  and  leave  his 
corn  behind  ?  or  as  if  a  goldsmith  should  weigh 
his  dross,  and  cast  away  his  gold  ? 

Reader,  will  you  curiously  trim  your  scabbard, 
and  let  the  costly  sword  decay  with  rust  ?  This 
would  be  like  Jacob,  to  lay  the  right  hand  upon 
the  younger,  and  the  left  hand  upon  the  elder.  If 
there  be  nothing  done  in  your  soul  on  earth,  there 
will  be  nothing  done /or  it  in  heaven. 

It  is  truly  lamentable  that  the  soul,  which  re- 
ceived its  being /ro»i  God,  should  be  excluded  from 
a  being  with  God. 

19.  Another  principle  that  a  believer  should 
walk  by,  is  this :  That  gospel  integritij  towards 
God  is  the  best  security  against  wicked  men. 

Surly  mastiffs,  which  have  no  teeth,  may  bark, 
but  they  cannot  bite.  Who  would  fear  the  hiss- 
ing serpent,  if  he  knew  it  had  no  sting  ?  A  naked 
man  with  innocence,  is  preferable  to  Goliah  with 
his  coat  of  mail. 

And  who  is  he  that  shall  harm  you,  if  ye  be  fol- 
lowers of  that  which  is  good  ?  As  no  flattery  can 
heal  a  bad  conscience,  so  no  cruelty  can  wound  a 
good  one.  As  the  ways  of  God  have  happiness 
connected, with  them,  so  suft'erings  for  the  sake  of 
God  have  honour  annexed  to  them.  A  pious  mar- 
tyr has  more  renown  than  a  bloody  persecutor. 


IN  ins   MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  223 

Integrity  may  not  keep  us  from  supposed  infamy. 
The  choicest  professors  have  had  their  black  marks 
in  the  world's  calendars.  But  though  it  may  not 
keep  us  from  being  shot  at,  yet  it  will  preserve  us 
from  injury.  The  Lord  taketh  my  part  with  them 
that  help  me  ;  therefore  shall  I  see  mij  desire  upon 
them  that  hate  me.  God  will  either  find  a  shield 
to  ward  q^  suft'erings,  or  a  ha7id  to  sustain  us  under 
them.  Though  the  Christian  be  as  a  sheep  among 
wolves,  God  can  save  him  from  being  rent  by 
them  J  or  as  a  ship  amidst  waves,  he  can  keep  him 
from  being  overwhelmed  by  them.  Let  us  not, 
therefore,  bury  a  church  before  she  is  dead.  It  is 
time  enough  to  put  on  mourning,  when  God  in- 
vites us  to  her  funeral. 

For  I  am  the  Lord  thy  God,  the  holy  one  of  Is- 
rael, thy  Saviour ;  I  gave  Egypt  for  thy  ransom, 
Ethiopia  and  Seba  for  thee.  Thus,  whether  he 
pluck  up  the  tares,  or  let  them  stand,  it  is  only  for 
the  sake  of  his  people.  Noah  was  sound  in  the 
faith,  when  all  the  earth  was  polluted  3  and  he 
was  saved  in  the  ark,  while  it  was  deluged. 

Upon  all  the  glory  shall  be  a  defence.  There  is 
nothing  but  the  glory  worth  keeping ;  and  there 
is  none  of  the  glory  that  shall  be  wanting.  The 
shields  of  salvation  are  not  hung  up  in  the  way  of 
transgression.  All  the  wiles  of  hell  cannot  con- 
quer a  single  soldier  in  Christ's  camp,  much  less 
rout  his  whole  army. 

The  Name  of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower ;  the 
righteous  runneth  into  it,  and  is  safe.  The  Name 
of  the  Lord  is  a  strong  tower,  both  for  sublimity 
and  security.     When  Christ  is  our  harbour,  we 


224  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

may  safely  run  our  vessels  into  so  desirable  a 
retreat. 

A  garden  enclosed,  is  my  sister,  my  spouse;  a 
spring  shut  up,  a  fountain  sealed.  As  God  num- 
bers the  hairs  of  bis  people,  be  must  needs  pre- 
serve tbeir  heads.  He  bas  a  strong  bedge  of  pro- 
tection for  tbem,  wben  their  enemies  would  break 
in  upon  tbem. 

When  thou  passest  through  the  waters,  I  will  be 
with  thee ;  and  through  the  rivers,  they  shall  not 
overflow  thee :  when  thou  walkest  through  the  fire, 
thou  shalt  not  he  burnt ;  neither  shall  the  flame  kin- 
dle upon  thee.  Here  is  a  dangerous  voyage^  but  a 
safe  convoy.  God  never  deals  vi^itb  his  friends  as 
we  do  with  ours.  We  serve  tbem  too  often  as  we 
do  dials ;  which  we  only  look  upon  when  the  sun 
of  prosperity  shines  j  or  as  ladies  do  with  flowers, 
who,  while  they  are  gay,  place  them  in  their  bo- 
soms ',  but  wben  they  fade,  cast  them  away.  But 
when  our  want  is  greatest,  God's  help  is  nearest. 
The  more  grievous  our  oppression,  the  more  glo- 
rious is  our  deliverance. 

Wben  our  misery  is  most  powerful,  then  the 
Lord's  mercy  is  most  visible.  When  our  night  is 
the  darkest,  our  day  is  the  clearest.  Wben  our 
ebb  is  the  lowest,  our  flood  is  the  highest.  As  our 
tribulations  abound,  so  our  consolations  much  more 
abound. 

When  God's  benignity  is  most  admired,  our 
calamity  is  more  easy  endured.  Israel  often  slum- 
bers and  sleeps  j  but  He  that  keepeth  Israel  does 
neither.  Thus  we  may  boldly  say, '  If  God  be  for 
us,  who  shall  be  against  us?'     Against  us  they 


IN  HIS   MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  225 

may  be,  to  hate  us ;  but  against  us  they  shall  not 
be,  to  hurt  us. 

Noah  rides  safely  in  a  well-pitched  ark,  while 
the  old  world  is  drowned.  When  Israel  is  led 
captive,  Jeremiah  is  set  at  liberty.  The  prophet 
found  more  favour  from  the  princes  of  Babel,  than 
from  the  people  of  Israel.  Gideon's  fleece  was 
wet,  while  all  the  earth  was  dry.  Thus  will  God 
always  preserve  integrity,  and  punish  vanity.  His 
grain  is  often  gathered  into  the  garner,  before  he 
comes  to  burn  up  the  chaff  with  unquenchable  fire. 

20.  And  lastly,  a  Christian  will  walk  by  this 
principle  :  That  the  richness  of  the  crown  that  shall 
be  received,  shall  more  than  compensate  for  the  bit- 
terness of  the  cross  which  may  here  be  endured. 

The  last  wine  that  Christ  draws,  is  the  best  wine 
that  Christians  drink.  When  the  waters  cover 
the  earth,  whither  should  dove-hke  spirits  fly,  but 
to  the  ark  of  Christ?  He  who  left  heaven  to 
make  them  righteous,  will  come  from  heaven  to 
make  them  glorious. 

For  ye  had  compassion  on  me  in  my  bonds,  and 
took  joyfully  the  spoiling  of  your  goods  ;  knowing 
in  yourselves,  that  ye  have  in  heaven  a  better  and 
more  enduring  substance.  O  how  did  the  gloiy  of 
their  heavenly  mansions  outshine  all  the  glare  of 
their  earthly  possessions ! 

Christian,  you  are  now  on  a  troubled  sea ;  do 
not  say  that  you  shall  never  arrive  at  your  sure 
resting-place.  What,  has  God  plucked  you  out  of 
the  fre  of  destruction,  and  will  he  leave  you  in 
the  water  of  affliction  ?  In  a  small  moment  you 
will  cheerfully  sing,  '  Lo,  the  winter  is  past,  the 
rain  is  over  and  gone,  the  flowers  appear  on  the 


226        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

earth,  and  the  time  of  the  singing  of  birds  is 
come.*  The  blessed  Sun  of  righteousness  will 
shine  clearer,  when  these  clouds  are  blown  over. 
If  there  be  so  much  liquor  in  a  single  grape,  what 
must  there  be  in  the  whole  cluster ! 

Take  a  believer  while  he  lives,  and  God  has  a 
servant  the  more  on  earth  j — take  him  when  he 
dies,  and  God  has  a  servant  more  in  heaven. 

Christian !  you  must  never  look  for  an  end  to 
your  sorrows,  till  you  see  an  end  to  your  sins.  As 
the  former  came  not  a  day  before  the  latter,  so  they 
stay  not  a  day  behind  them.  As  many  as  I  love, 
I  rebuke  and  chasten.  Well  may  you  bear  the 
rod,  when  infinite  love  makes  it  up,  and  lays  it  on. 
When  you  lie  under  his  afflicting  hand,  you  then 
lie  near  his  affected  heart.  Rake  a  dunghill,  and 
its  effluvia  will  be  offensive ;  but  beat  perfume,  and 
its  scent  will  be  grateful. 

I  have  read  of  a«  fountain  that  is  cold  at  mid-day, 
and  warm  at  midnight.  Thus  are  saints  frequently 
cold  in  the  mid-day  of  prosperity,  and  warm  in  the 
midnight  of  adversity.  Afflictions  are  not  a  con- 
suming, but  a  refining  fire  to  the  godly.  They  are 
like  the  thorn  at  the  nightingale's  breast,  which 
rouses  and  puts  her  upon  her  delightful  notes. 

For  I  reckon  that  the  sufferings  of  this  present  life 
are  not  worthy  to  he  compared  with  the  glory  which 
shall  he  revealed  by  us.  These  fall  as  far  short  of 
glory  as  the  smallest  fraction  does  of  the  largest 
sum ;  or  as  the  least  filings  of  gold  do  of  all  the 
riches  of  India.  If  the  faint  glimmerings  of  Christ's 
face  overpower  the  pains  of  the  cross  ;  what  must 
the  full  meridian  of  his  glorious  light  do  ! 

For  our  light  afflictions,  which  are  but  for  a 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  227 

moment,  work  for  us  a  far  more  exceeding  and 
eternal  weight  of  glory.  k\\,  how  light  is  a  dram 
of  reproach  to  a  weight  of  glory  5  and  how  short 
a  moment's  pain,  to  an  eternity  of  pleasure  ! 

He  should  not  be  weary  of  the  cross,  who  is  sure 
of  the  croivn.  After  the  cup  of  affliction,  then 
comes  the  cup  of  salvation.  The  wine-press  pre- 
pares for  the  wine-cellar.  The  painful  throes  of 
travail  are  soon  forgotten  in  the  fond  embraces  of 
a  tender  babe. 

Sour  fruits  require  something  to  sweeten  them. 
Death  is  grateful  to  no  creature,  but  it  is  profitable 
to  every  Christian.  Our  good  physician  will  not 
continue  us  a  moment  longer  in  his  infirmary  than 
is  necessary.  Our  refiner  regards  his  choice  gold 
too  much  to  consume  it  in  the  flames. 

Those  who  are  patient  in  the  seed-time  of  sor- 
row, shall  soon  reap  the  glorious  harvest  of  unfa- 
ding joy.  We  may  converse  concerning  our  future 
greatness,  but  we  shall  never  know  the  weight  of 
the  crown,  till  it  be  placed  on  our  heads. 

Come,  O  Christian,  be  of  good  comfort  3  though 
the  cloth  be  cut,  it  is  only  to  make  it  up  into  a 
curious  garment.  The  hewing  of  the  timber  is 
only  to  prepare  it  for  the  structure.  The  new 
corn  that  lives  in  summer,  is  produced  from  the 
old  corn  that  died  in  the  winter.  It  is  neither 
commendable  to  rush  into  the  arms  of  death,  con- 
trary to  the  dictates  of  reason  j  nor  to  fly  from 
them  when  God  calls  us  to  them. 

Shall  Jesus  come  down  from  heaven  to  die  for 
you,  and  will  you  be  unwilling  to  ascend  from  earth 
to  heaven  to  live  with  him  ?     A  saint's  reluctancy 


228        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

to  meet  death  arises  from  bis  apprehension  of  un- 
readiness to  meet  him.  A  pardon  may  have  passed 
the  prince's  seal,  that  is  not  put  into  the  prisoner's 
hand.  The  edge  of  this  sword  has  been  blunted 
ever  since  it  was  sheathed  in  Christ's  side. 

After  the  vessel  has  endured  the  storms,  it  will 
arrive  at  the  haven.  Though  the  Christian's  tri- 
umphs never  end,  yet,  blessed  be  God,  his  trials 
shall  soon  end.  When  his  body  and  soul  shall 
part  asunder,  then  God  and  his  soul  shall  meet 
together. 

Though  ye  have  tain  among  the  pots,  yet  shall  ye 
be  as  the  wings  of  a  dove,  covered  with  silver,  and 
her  feathers  with  yellow  gold.  Suppose  the  lancet 
make  a  deep  incision,  it  is  only  to  reach  the  depth 
of  your  wound,  and  render  the  cure  more  complete. 
Health  is  most  acceptable,  after  sharp  sickness  j 
and  liberty,  after  the  most  rigorous  bondage. 
Sailors  always  triumph  at  the  appearance  of  land, 
after  a  long  and  tedious  voyage.  All  the  grapes 
in  Christ's  vineyard  must  pass  through  the  wine- 
press. 

However  pleasant  a  sinner's  beginning  may  be, 
his  end  is  destruction  j  and  however  troublesome  a 
saint's  beginning  may  be,  his  end  shall  be  honour- 
able. The  fresh  rivers  of  carnal  pleasures  run  into 
the  salt  sea  of  desperation ;  but  the  wet  seed-time 
of  a  religious  life  ends  in  the  blessed  harvest  of  a 
peaceable  death. 

When  Croesus  inquired  of  Solon  who  the  hap- 
piest man  was,  he  answered,  '  One  Tellus,  who 
lived  a  sober  hife,  and  died  at  last  fighting  for  his 
country.'     Christian,  was  he  happy  in  living  and 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN   SPLENDOUR.  229 

dying  for  his  country?  and  shall  you  be  miserable, 
who  live  and  die  for  your  Christ  ? 

When  Adrianus  asked  how  the  Christians  could 
so  patiently  endure  the  tortures  he  had  inflicted  ? 
they  answered,  '  The  love  of  Christ  constraineth 
us,  and  the  love  of  heaven  encourages  us.'  Those 
who  are  born  blind  cannot  judge  of  the  glories 
that  dazzle  the  eyes  of  angels.  One  smile  from 
God's  face  will  for  ever  dry  up  all  the  tears  from 
the  saint's  eyes. 

As  fishes  dropping  out  of  a  narrow  brook  into  the 
large  ocean  do  not  lose,  but  enlarge  their  element  • 
so  when  the  godly  leave  the  church  militant,  they 
do  not  forsake,  but  increase  their  blessedness.  As 
the  flames  of  a  burnt-offering  ascend  to  heaven, 
while  its  ashes  fall  to  the  ground ;  so  the  soul  ojf 
a  saint  rises  to  glory,  while  his  body  falls  into  the 
dusty  grave. 


Having  thus  digested  the  twenty  singular  prin- 
ciples by  which  a  believer  walks  ;  1  lastly  come  to 
give  directions  to  those  who  wish  to  do  more  than 
others.  And  here  I  shall  stud  your  golden  ring 
with  seven  precious  diamonds.  Would  you,  there- 
fore, do  more  than  others  ?  then  deny  yourselves 
more  than  others  5  —  would  you  deny  yourselves 
more  than  others  ?  then  you  must  pray  more 
than  others  j — would  you  pray  more  than  others  ? 
then  you  must  resolve  more  than  others  ; — would 
you  resolve  more  than  others  ?  then  you  must  love 

X 


THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

more  than  others ; — would  you  love  more  than 
others  ?  then  you  must  believe  more  than  others  j 
— would  you  believe  more  than  others  ?  then  you 
must  know  more  than  others  3 — and  would  you 
know  more  than  others?  then  God  must  reveal 
himself  more  to  you  than  he  does  to  others. 

1 .  Would  you  do  more  than  others  :  then  deny 
yourselves  more  than  others. 

Either  self  mnst  be  laid  aside,  or  God  will  lay  us 
aside.  What  can  any  true  Israelite  behold  in  this 
Dagon,  that  the  ark  of  God  should  bow  before  it  ? 

Though  self-seeking  had  its  birth  in  heaven,  yet 
being  justly  cast  out,  it  can  never  find  its  way 
thither  again. 

If  any  man  will  come  after  me,  let  him  deny  him- 
self, and  take  up  his  cross  and  follow  me.  This  is 
the  very  basis  of  our  profession.  Sinful  self  is  to 
be  destroyed,  and  natural  self  is  to  be  denied. 

A  little  will  serve  a  man  who  is  strong  in  grace ; 
much  will  but  serve  him  who  is  weak  in  grace ;  but 
nothing  will  do  for  him  who  is  void  of  grace.  As 
we  are  called  to  lay  out  all  in  the  cause  of  God,  so 
we  are  to  lay  down  all  at  the  call  of  God. 

2.  Would  you  deny  yourselves  more  than  others? 
then  you  should  pray  more  than  others. 

Our  daily  bread  calls  for  our  daily  prayers  j 
because  one  want  is  created,  while  another  is  sup- 
plied. Are  we  called  by  the  name  of  Christ ;  and 
shall  we  not  call  upon  the  name  of  Christ  ?  Take 
away  spiritual  breath,  and  you  take  away  spiritual 
life.  There  never  was  one  new-born,  who  was 
still-born. 

Who  would  not  stretch  out  a  beggar's  hand,  to 
receive  a  jewel  of  infinite  value  ?    With  what  bold- 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  231 

ness  should  those  appear  at  court,  who  are  sure  of 
the  king's  ear ! 

Spiritual  prayer  resembles  Noah's  dove,  which 
returned  with  an  olive  branch.  Prayers  were  never 
rightly  oflfered  to  God,  but  they  were  quickly  an- 
swered. We  are  as  much  bound  to  pray  while  on 
earth,  as  angels  are  to  praise  while  in  heaven. 

He  who  would  speed  in  his  enjoyment,  should 
plead  for  the  attainment.  The  prayerless  soul  is 
a  fruitless  soul.  The  waters  of  life  are  sweet  j 
and  it  is  blessed  to  bring  the  vessels  of  prayer  to 
these  wells.  Throw  a  dry  spunge  into  the  river, 
and  it  will  soon  fill  itself  with  water. 

Many  will  cast  off  this  duty,  because  they  are 
ashamed  to  go  to  it  with  crutches :  but  these  wants 
of  accomplishment  should  not  be  a  discourage- 
ment ;  for  many  dumb  beggars  have  been  relieved 
at  Christ's  gate,  by  making  signs. 

^nd  as  he  prarjed,  the  fashion  of  his  countenance 
was  altered,  and  his  raiment  was  white  and  glitter- 
ing. Christ  had  the  bright  sunshine  of  his  Father's 
affection,  when  he  was  moving  in  the  orbit  of 
supphcation. 

Reader,  is  not  that  mercy  worth  your  breath, 
which  was  worth  a  Saviour's  blood  ?  Why  should 
we  cease  petitioning,  while  God  continues  grant- 
ing? 

Lord,  what  wilt  thou  give  me,  seeing  I  go  child- 
less ?  Thus  may  you  pray  :  Lord,  what  wilt  thou 
give  me,  seeing  I  go  comfortless  P  Believing  prayer 
is  a  traffic  for  those  commodities  which  are  only 
locked  up  in  heaven's  storehouse.  Why  should 
we  be  dumb,  seeing  God  is  not  deaf? 


232        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

By  fasting,  the  body  learns  to  obey  the  soul  j  by 
praying,  the  soul  learns  to  command  the  body. 

No  Christian  has  so  little  from  Christ,  but  there 
is  ground  for  praise;  and  no  Christian  has  so 
much,  but  he  has  need  of  prayer.  Every  day  we 
find  it  is  a  great  work  to  accomplish  a  little  work. 
Every  new  act  of  obedience  requires  fresh  assist- 
ance. 

Ask,  and  receive,  that  your  joy  may  he  full. 
Spiritual  supplication  is  a  channel  to  consolation. 
Now  none  are  more  fruitful  in  divine  labour,  than 
those  who  are  most  joyful  under  a  sense  of  the 
divine  favour.  Death  shortens  our  way  to  heaven, 
but  that  sweetejis  our  way  to  heaven. 

A  neglect  to  nip  the  flowers,  does  but  increase 
the  growth  of  the  weeds.  A  small  vessel  with 
smart  gales,  will  sail  faster  than  a  large  ship  with 
small  winds.  I  never  expect  that  branch  to  bear 
any  fruit,  which  receives  no  sap  from  the  vine. 
When  prayer  mounts  upon  the  wing  of  fervour 
to  God,  then  answers  come  down  like  lightning 
from  God. 

The  gift  of  prayer  may  have  praise  from  men, 
but  it  is  the  grace  of  prayer  which  has  power  with 
God.  A  few  grapes  prove  the  plant  to  be  a  vine, 
and  not  a  thorn.  Though  prayer  be  God's  due,  as 
a  Creator ;  yet  it  is  more  truly  performed,  when 
offered  to  him  as  a  Father.  Though  none  can  pray 
aright  but  new  creatures,  yet  all  ought  to  pray  be- 
cause they  are  creatures. 

Christians  can  never  want  a  praying  time,  if  they 
possess  a  praying  frame.  In  the  morning,  this  is  a 
golden  key  to  open  the  heart  for  God's  service  3  and 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  233 

in  the  evening,  it  is  an  iron  lock  to  guard  the  heart 
against  sin. 

Peter  was  therefore  kept  in  prison ;  but  prayer 
was  made  without  ceasing  of  the  church  unto  God 
for  him.  This  fetched  an  angel  out  of  heaven,  to 
fetch  him  out  of  prison.  Their  prayer  went  up 
like  fire,  and  brought  down  blessings  like  water. 
It  is  not  always  that  hound  which  opens  the  loud- 
est, that  catches  the  hare  3  but  that  which  follows 
closest  in  the  chase. 

Believers  should  not  only  pray  one  with  another, 
but  one  for  another.  Next  to  tbe  breach  of  piety 
in  religion,  we  should  abominate  the  breach  of 
charity  in  communion. 

Reader,  when  the  vessel  of  your  soul  has  given 
over  sailing,  we  may  conclude  the  divine  winds 
have  given  over  bloAving.  He  who  is  omniscient 
to  know  your  wants,  is  also  omnipotent  to  grant 
your  request.  Are  you  made  a  spiritual  priest, 
and  will  you  refuse  to  offer  up  spiritual  sacrifices  ? 
Your  affections  should  soar  like  an  eagle,  when 
your  lips  cannot  move  faster  than  a  snail. 

Pray  without  ceasing.  We  may  pray  continual- 
ly, and  yet  be  not  continually  at  prayer.  Though 
the  lesson  is  not  always  being  played,  yet  it  is  well 
to  have  the  instrument  in  tune. 

And  this  is  the  confidence  that  we  have  in  him, 
that  if  we  ask  any  thing  according  to  his  will,  he 
heareth  us.  That  soul  shall  have  his  will  of  God, 
who  desires  nothing  but  what  God  wills.  Why 
should  our  petitions  be  dying,  when  our  Interces- 
sor ever  liveth  ?  Is  it  of  any  consequence  how  often 
we  carry  our  empty  vessels  to  such  a  well  ? 
x3 


234  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  intercession  of  Christ  is  a  gohlcn  censor  j 
but  he  will  not  admit  our  prayers  to  be  incense. 
Luther  once  said  in  prayer,  *  Our  Father,  let  my 
will  be  done  on  earth,  as  in  heaven  •  for  thy  will 
is  mine.'  The  covenant  of  grace  turns  precepts 
into  promises  -,  and  the  spirit  of  grace  converts 
promises  into  prayers. 

Take  with  you  words,  and  turn  unto  the  Lord ; 
and  say  unto  him,  Take  away  all  iniquity,  and  re- 
ceive us  graciously. 

God  is  always  willing  for  us  to  hit  the  mark, 
when  he  directs  our  arrows.  When  he  teaches 
us  to  wrestle,  he  then  intends  we  should  prevail. 
Spiritual  breathings  are  attended  with  spiritual 
blessings.  Nothing  will  ascend  to  heaven,  but 
what  came  down  from  heaven.  That  prayer 
meets  with  no  answer,  which  is  not  offered  up  in 
faith. 

3.  Would  you  pray  more  than  others  ?  then  re- 
solve more  than  others. 

God  looks  more  at  our  wills,  than  at  our  works. 
The  first-fruits  of  conversion  hang  upon  the  trees 
of  holiness.  I  will  arise,  and  go  to  my  Father. 
Arrows  weakly  shot,  fall  short  of  the  mark. 

Shame  is  that  which  ambitious  nature  abhors, 
and  danger  is  what  timorous  nature  declines. 
Reformation  is  an  icy  path,  and  coAvardly  spirits 
love  to  have  it  well  beaten  by  others,  before  they 
will  venture  to  tread  it. 

As  for  me  and  my  house,  we  will  serve  the  Lord. 
Firm  resolutions  are  like  rocks,  which  the  waves 
cannot  move.  By  our  prayers  we  shew  what  we 
wish  God  to  do  for  us  3    and  by  our  purposes  we 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  235 

manifest  what  we  desire  to  do  for  God.  By  the 
illumination  of  God  the  Spirit,  the  understanding 
conceives  holiness  ;  the  will  resolves  on  holiness  j 
and  the  life  produces  holiness. 

/  am  determined  to  know  nothing  among  you,  save 
Jesus  Christ,  and  him  crucified.  Till  we  attain  to 
strong  resolutions,  we  shall  not  be  conquerors  of 
Satan's  strong  temptations.  As  diseases  resort  most 
to  that  part  of  the  body  which  is  weakest,  so  the 
devil's  attacks  will  be  most  frequent  where  he  is 
likely  to  be  most  prevalent.  The  law's  curse  is 
only  the  press-money  of  a  servile  spirit,  but  the 
love  of  God  is  the  bias  of  a  volunteer. 

The  resolutions  of  a  Christian  are  like  the  water 
of  a  fountain  that  flows  of  itself  j  but  the  resolu- 
tions of  a  sinner  resemble  the  water  of  a  pit  which 
must  be  forced  up  by  artificial  engines.  Some 
never  form  resolutions,  but  under  heavy  afflictions : 
such  are  like  goats,  which  never  yield  any  milk  till 
they  are  stung  j  or  like  children  under  the  rod,  full 
of  promises,  but  empty  of  performances. 

The  sinner's  determinations  are  like  ice,  which 
thaws  in  the  sun,  but  freezes  again  in  the  shade. 
What,  shall  we  vow  against  our  sins,  and  then  sin 
against  our  vows  ?  This  were  to  take  the  wages 
from  one  master,  and  do  the  work  for  another ;  to 
make  our  promises  to  God^  and  our  performances 
to  the  devil. 

Sacred  vows  bind  us  to  obedience,  and  sinful 
vows  to  repentance.  Reader,  say  not  that  you 
have  noble  blood  running  in  your  veins,  except 
you  can  prove  it  by  heroic  actions. 

4.  Would  you  resolve  more  than  others  ?  then 
you  should  love  more  than  others. 


236  THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

There  is  no  sin  so  sweet,  but  the  love  of  Christ 
will  restrain  you  from  it  5  nor  service  so  great,  but 
his  love  can  constrain  you  to  it.  Should  this  af- 
fection once  take  fire,  then  the  room  will  be  too 
hot  for  sin  to  reign  there. 

The  Christian's  heart  is  not  a  harbour  for  lust, 
but  a  chamber  for  Christ.  Love  never  shakes  the 
boughs,  but  for  Christ  to  eat  the  fruits.  Many 
pay  the  performance  of  duty  as  oppressed  subjects 
do  their  taxes,  with  heavy  complaints  :  but  the 
spouse  of  Jesus  looks  upon  herself  as  not  worthy 
of  his  remembrance,  and  upon  her  service,  as  un- 
worthy of  his  acceptance.  Had  she  any  thing  a 
thousand  times  better  than  herself,  she  would 
willingly  dispose  of  it  for  him. 

When  Achilles  was  asked,  what  enterprizes  he 
found  the  most  easy ;  he  answered,  *  Those  which 
I  undertake  for  my  friends.'  Jacob's  seven  years' 
service  seemed  as  nothing,  because  it  was  for  a 
woman  he  loved  so  much.  St.  Austin  says,  '  All 
things  are  easy  to  love.' 

If  ye  love  me,  keep  my  commandments.  The 
mortal  streams  of  divine  actions  flow  only  from  the 
pure  springs  of  divine  affections.  Though  there  be 
many  things  for  which  we  should  not  love  man, 
yet  there  is  not  any  thing  for  which  we  should 
not  love  God. 

In  Christ  Jesus,  neither  circumcision  availeth  any 
thing,  nor  uncircumcision  ,•  but  faith  that  worketh 
by  love.  As  the  heat  of  the  day  keeps  pace  with 
the  shining  of  the  sun,  so  does  faith  with  love, 
taith,  like  Mary,  sits  at  the  feet  of  Christ,  to  hear 
his  sermons;  while  love,  like  Martha,  encompasses 
him  with  service.    Faith  is  the  great  receiver,  and 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  237 

love  the  great  disburser.  We  take  all  in  by  be- 
lieving, and  lay  all  out  by  loving.  Faith  first 
works  love,  and  then  works  by  love. 

Thou  shall  love  the  Lord  thy  God  with  all  thy 
hearty  and  thy  neighbour  as  thyself.  Christ  brings 
ten  commandments  into  two,  and  Paul  reduces  them 
into  one  word ;  For  all  the  law  is  fulfilled  in  one 
word;  Thou  shall  love  thy  neighbour  as  thyself — 
Love  is  called  an  old  and  a  new  commandment : 
it  is  as  old  as  the  law  of  Moses,  and  as  new  as  the 
gospel  of  Christ. 

Faith  first  seals  the  conveyance,  and  love  then 
claims  the  inheritance.  As  hatred  increases,  love 
decreases.  It  were  well  if  the  child  of  dissension 
were  never  born,  or  that  it  died  as  soon  as  born. — 
When  the  ship  of  Christian  society  spiings  a  leak, 
love  will  use  her  best  endeavours  to  stop  it  imme- 
diately. The  nearer  the  union,  the  more  danger- 
ous the  breach  of  it.  Bodies  glued  together, 
might,  if  severed,  be  as  strongly  and  beautifully 
joined  as  before :  but  wounded  members  cannot 
be  healed  without  leaving  a  scar. 

The  love  of  an  hypocrite,  like  the  Israeli tish 
bush,  is  not  burning  while  it  is  blazing.  He  not 
only  admits  the  world  into  the  suburbs  of  his 
senses,  but  into  the  city  of  his  soul.  The  love  of 
Jesus,  in  a  believer,  resembles  oil  with  water, 
which,  however  shaken  together,  is  always  upper- 
most. When  this  sun  of  religious  aflfection  arises, 
it  immediately  overpowers  all  other  lights. 

The  expression  of  Absalom  is  also  the  language 
of  God's  people  :  ^  Now,  therefore,  let  me  see  the 
king's  face.'    It  is  heaven  on  earth,  for  his  children 


238        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

to  see  him  j    and  it  is  heaven  in  heaven,  for  his 
children  to  dwell  with  him. 

Love  puts  not  off  the  pursuit  of  duty,  till  it  at- 
tain the  possession  of  glory.  There  is  no  rocking 
this  babe  to  sleep,  but  in  the  cradle  of  the  grave. 
A  soul  that  loves  much,  will  work  much.  The 
injunctions  of  love  are  not  grievous,  but  precious. 

God  is  not  so  much  displeased  at  our  having,  as 
at  our  loving  sin.  He  is  more  pleased  at  our  loving 
than  at  our  performing  his  service.  None  can 
serve  God  like  a  believer,  because  none  can  love 
him  as  a  believer ;  for  the  obedience  of  the  heart 
is  the  heart  of  obedience. 

5.  Would  you  love  more  than  others  ?  then  it  is 
necessary  to  believe  more  than  others  ? 

If  there  be  life  in  the  body,  the  pulse  wiU  beat  j 
and  if  there  be  faith  in  the  heart,  it  will  work. 
What  doth  it  profit,  my  brethren,  if  a  man  say  he 
hath  faith,  and  hath  no  works  ?  Can  faith  save 
him  ?  An  idle  faith  is  an  evil  faith  ;  for  the  faith 
which  works  not,  saves  not. 

Perceiving  of  Christ,  bespeaks  our  knowledge; 
but  receiving  him,  bespeaks  out  faith.  To  as  many 
as  received  him,  to  them  gave  he  power  to  become 
the  Sons  of  God,  even  to  them  that  believe  on  his 
Name.  Faith  not  only  looks  upon  Christ  as  a 
fountain,  but  it  also  lays  pipes  to  convey  the  water 
into  its  own  cistern. 

The  window  only  radiates  the  room  as  a  medium 
by  which  the  rays  of  light  are  let  in.  As  faith  can 
do  nothing  without  Christ,  so  it  will  do  nothing 
against  Christ.  A  true  affiance  resembles  the 
spring  in  a  watch,  which  moves  all  the  golden 
wheels,  and  that  only  as  it  is  wound  up. 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  239 

The  father  of  the  child  cried  out  with  tears.  Lord, 
I  believe ;  help  thou  mine  unbelief!  Though  his  tears 
dropped  to  the  earth,  yet  his  faith  reached  up  to 
heaven.  Divine  confidence  can  swim  upon  those 
seas,  which  feeble  reason  cannot  fathom.  Strong 
diffidence  begets  weak  obedience.  The  cords  of 
unbelief  oyice  tied  the  hands  of  Christ,  but  not  so 
strongly  but  he  could  have  broken  them.  Now  if 
they  bound  this  greater  than  Sampson,  what  must 
they  do  to  feeble  Israelites  ? 

It  is  as  natural  for  a  believing  man  to  be  a  work- 
ing man,  as  it  is  for  the  sun  to  shine,  or  the  fire  to 
burn.  Other  graces,  like  the  common  people  of 
Israel,  stand  in  the  outward  court  j  but  faith,  like 
the  high-priest,  enters  within  the  vail.  If  Satan 
can  undermine  the  foundation,  the  superstructure 
will  soon  totter  and  fall. 

The  great  Bernard  said,  Increduli  timen  diabol- 
um  quasi  lionem ;  ai  qui  in  Jide  fortes,  despiciunt 
cum  quasi  vermiculum ;  that  is,  ^Infidels  fear  the 
devil  as  a  lion,  but  those  who  are  strong  in  the 
faith  despise  him  as  a  very  little  worm.'  As  there 
is  no  grace  that  glorifies  God  so  much  as  faith,  so 
there  is  no  grace  that  he  glorifies  so  much  as  faith. 

Martha  and  Mary  both  said.  Lord,  if  thou  hadst 
been  here,  our  brother  had  not  died.  What  then, 
could  he  not  have  saved  him  while  absent,  as  well 
as  present  ?  could  he  not  as  easily  have  sent  him 
health,  as  brought  it  ?  But  does  their  unbelief 
stop  here  ?  No  :  Lord,  by  this  time  he  stinketh. 
True,  but  their  unbelief  stank  more  in  Christ's 
nostrils,  than  Lazarus's  body  did  in  theirs. 

And  being  not  weak  in  faith,  he  considered  not 


240        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

his  own  body  now  dead,  when  he  was  about  an  hun- 
dred years  old, — but  he  was  strong  in  faith,  giving 
glory  to  God.  Skilful  swimmers  are  not  afraid  to 
venture  beyond  their  depth  j  while  learners  paddle 
on  the  bank-side. 

As  faith  receives  the  righteousness  of  Christ  for 
justification,  so  it  receives  the  holiness  of  Christ  for 
sanctification.  It  is  the  hand,  the  mouth,  and  the 
eye,  of  the  child  of  God.  It  is  the  ring  by  which 
the  soul  is  united  to  God  the  chief  good. 

He  that  believeth,  out  of  his  belly  shall  ^ow  rivers 
of  living  waters.  When  saints  would  advance  to  an 
high  degree  in  other  virtues,  then  they  generally 
pray  for  an  increase  of  this.  Lord,  increase  our 
faith,  is  no  uncommon  prayer.  What  the  root 
sucks  from  the  earth,  it  soon  disperses  through  the 
branches. 

Lusts  may  struggle  like  wounded  soldiers  on 
their  stumps,  and  rally  like  broken  troops  5  but 
they  shall  never  be  masters  of  that  field  where 
faith  is  fighting.  As  lusts  would  not  let  Christ 
live  without  us,  so  Christ  will  not  let  them  live 
within  us.  Holding  the  mystery  of  the  faith  in  a 
pure  conscience.  If  faith  be  a  precious  pearl,  a 
good  conscience  is  the  cabinet  that  contains  it. 
This  heavenly  manna  must  be  laid  up  in  a  golden 
pot. 

When  fear  is  foiled,  and  taken  prisoner,  then 
faith  comes  out  of  the  battle  a  glorious  conqueror. 
It  is  as  able  to  keep  us  from  falling  into  tempta- 
tions, as  from  fainting  under  afflictions. 

A  man  in  the  exercise  of  faith,  is  like  Joseph  j 
the  archers  may  hit  him,  but  his  bow  shall  abide 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  241 

in  strength.  He  is  a  rich  man  who  lives  upon  his 
wealth,  and  he  is  a  righteous  man  who  lives  by 
faith.  Christians  are  far  from  wrapping  up  the 
talent  of  faithfulness  in  the  napkin  of  idleness. 

Unbelief  not  only  blinds  the  eyes  to  the  purity 
of  the  law,  but  deafens  the  ears  to  the  music  of  the 
gospel,  and  deadens  the  aft'ections  to  the  glories  of 
heaven.  Every  appeal  to  an  unbeliever  is  like  a 
spark  of  fire  falling  into  the  water,  which  is  no 
sooner  in  than  it  is  out. 

6.  Would  you  believe  more  than  others  ?  tJien 
you  should  know  more  than  others. 

Wisdom  makes  the  face  to  shine.  I  may  say  of 
Divine  Wisdom,  as  was  said  of  a  Grecian  lady. 
That  no  man  ever  saw  her  but  what  loved  her. 
That  Christian  is  most  excellent,  who  is  the  most 
intelligent. 

What  the  papists  cry  up  as  the  mother  of  devo- 
tion, that  we  cry  down  as  the  father  of  superstition. 

Satan  binds  all  his  captives  down  in  the  dark 
dungeon  of  ignorance :  like  falconers,  he  blind- 
folds his  birds,  that  he  may  carry  them  to  hell 
more  securely.  The  father  of  light  takes  no  plea- 
sure in  the  children  of  darkness.  He  is  not  ac- 
customed to  carry  souls  to  heaven,  as  mariners  do 
their  passengers  to  their  port,  who  shut  them  un- 
der the  hatches,  so  that  they  cannot  see  whither 
they  go. 

It  is  no  wonder  that  Christ  should  be  so  much 
undesired,  when  he  is  so  much  undiscerned.  An 
understanding  without  understanding,  is  but  the 
soul  of  a  beast  imprisoned  in  the  body  of  a  man. 
Jf  ye  know  these  things,  happy  are  ye  if  ye  do  them, 
y 


242        THE  NONSUCH  PROFESSOR 

The  will  of  God  must  be  known  on  earth  as  it  is 
in  heaven,  before  it  can  be  done  on  earth  as  it  is 
in  heaven.  Utter  darkness  is  the  recompense  of 
inward  darkness. 

None  will  ever  be  coloured  by  walking  in  the 
beams  of  the  Sun  of  Righteousness.  Where  there 
is  a  veil  upon  the  eye  of  knowledge,  there  will  be 
a  chain  upon  the  hand  of  diligence.  An  ignorant 
man  neither  cares  what  he  does,  nor  knows  whither 
he  is  going.  When  such  an  one  is  taken  oflf  the 
earth,  he  cannot  be  taken  into  heaven. 

Wheresoever  there  is  a  trade  carried  on  for  hea- 
ven, the  Spirit  of  God  must  first  open  the  shop 
windows.  I  must  work  the  works  of  him  that 
sent  me,  while  it  is  day ;  the  night  cometh,  when  no 
man  can  work*  There  is  no  doing  the  work  of 
the  day,  but  by  the  light  of  the  day.  Darkness  is 
the  devil's  element,  and  the  sinner's  punishment. 
My  people  perish  for  lack  of  knowledge.  When 
the  candle  of  the  soul  is  extinguished,  it  must  needs 
sit  in  darkness. 

Taking  vengeance  on  them  that  know  not  God. 
The  infidel's  want  of  judgment  is  a  sin  against 
which  Christ  will  come  to  judgment.  Ah,  how 
do  blind  men  take  that  for  devotion,  which  is  only 
superstition ;  and  that  for  a  Bethel,  which  is  no 
better  than  a  Babel !  To  preserve  the  understand- 
ing as  a  Goshen  from  the  darkness  of  Egypt,  is 
the  way  to  avoid  the  plagues  of  Egypt. 

I  send  thee  to  open  blind  eyes ;  to  turn  them  from 
darkness  to  light.  Spiritual  acts  require  spiritual 
eyes ;  and  the  clearer  we  see  them,  the  better  we 
perform  them.     He  who  desires  to  see  the  face  of 


IN  HIS  MERIDIAN  SPLENDOUR.  243 

holiness  in  its  native  lustre,  must  not  set  his  car- 
nal judgment  to  draw  the  picture. 

7.  Would  you  know  more  than  others  ?  then  you 
must  have  God  reveal  himself  more  to  you  than  he 
does  to  others. 

Man  does  not  first  come  to  God  that  he  might 
be  taught ;  but  he  is  first  taught,  that  he  might 
come  to  God.  Unto  you  it  is  given  to  know  the 
mysteries  of  the  kingdom.  God  gives,  and  then  we 
know.  When  he  opens  our  eyes,  then  we  can 
see  5 — when  he  loosens  our  tongues,  we  can  speak  j 
—when  he  says.  Come  forth,  we  live  j — and  when 
he  commands  us  to  be  of  good  comfort,  we  can 
rejoice. 

God  is  first  in  all  the  works  of  creation  and  pro- 
vidence. He  is  all  in  nature,  all  in  grace,  and  all 
in  glory.     Without  me,  ye  can  do  nothing. 

Thus — if  you  would  deny  yourselves,  pray,  re- 
solve, love,  believe,  or  know  more  than  others — 
it  can  only  be  by  the  gracious  revelation  of  God  to 
your  mental  powers.  All  the  difference  that  exists 
between  man  and  man,  is  only  from  the  Lord  of 
hosts,  who  is  wonderful  in  counsel.  You  may  cast 
the  net  on  any  side  of  the  ship  of  eminence  or  re- 
ligious excellence,  but  he  only  can  enclose  it  with 
blessings. 

Thus  you  may  be  taught  to  acknowledge  who 
he  is,  rest  on  what  he  does,  and  finally  be  with 
him  where  he  is  j  and  though  your  journey  be  at- 
tended with  bitterness,  yet  he  shall  soon  crown 
you  with  eternal  blessedness. 


A  SERMON, 


ENTITLED 


A  WEDDING-RING 


FOR  THE  FINGER. 


lylf.  Se.ckc.r. 


y3 

41 


A   SERMON. 


Genesis  ii.  18. 

And  the  Lord  God  said,  It  is  not  good  that  the 
Man  should  be  alone ;  I  will  make  him  a  Help 
meet  for  him. 

Human  miseiy  is  to  divine  mercy,  as  a  black  foil 
to  a  sparkling  diamond,  or  as  a  sable  cloud  to  the 
sun-beams.  Psal.  84,  Lord,  what  is  man,  that 
thou  art  mindful  of  him !    Man  is. 

In  his  creation,  angelical  j  in  his  corruption, 
diabolical ;  in  his  renovation,  theological  3  in  his 
translation,  majestical. 

1 .  An  Angei  in  Eden. 

2.  A  Devil  in  the  World. 

3.  A  Saint  in  the  Church. 

4.  A  King  in  Heaven. 

There  were  four  silver  channels  in  which  the 
ciystal  streams  of  God's  affection  ran  to  man  in 
his  creation. 

1.  In  his  Preparation. 

2.  In  his  Assimilation. 

3.  In  his  Coronation. 

4.  In  his  Association. 


248  A  WEDDING-RING 

1 .  In  bis  Preparation :  Other  creatures  received 
the  charter  of  their  beings  by  a  simple  ^ai;  but 
there  was  a  consultation  at  his  forming,  not  for 
the  difficulty^  but  for  the  dignitij  of  the  work. 
The  painter  is  more  studious  about  his  master- 
piece. The  four  elements  were  taken  out  of  their 
elements^  to  make  up  the  perfection  of  man's  com- 
plexion ;  the  fire  was  purified^  the  air  was  clarified, 
the  water  was  purged,  the  earth  was  refined :  when 
man  was  moulded,  heaven  and  earth  were  married  j 
a  body  from  the  one  was  espoused  to  a  soul  from 
the  other. 

2.  In  his  Assimilation :  Other  creatures  were 
made  like  themselves,  but  man  was  made  like  God, 
as  the  wax  hath  the  impression  of  the  seal  upon  it. 
It  is  admirable  to  behold  so  fair  a  picture  on  such 
coarse  canvas,  and  so  bright  a  character  on  such 
brown  paper. 

3.  In  his  Coronation :  He  that  made  man  and 
all  the  rest,  made  man  over  all  the  rest  j  quantil- 
lum  dominum  posuit  Deus  in  tantum  dominum.  He 
was  a  little  lord  of  great  lordship  3  this  king  was 
crowned  in  his  cradle. 

4.  In  his  Association :  Society  is  the  solace  of 
humanity :  the  world  would  be  a  desert  without  a 
consort. 

Most  of  men's  parts  are  made  of  pairs  -,  now  he 
that  was  double  in  his  perfection,  must  not  be 
single  in  his  condition :  And  the  Lord  God  said,  8fc, 

These  words  are  like  the  iron-gate  that  opened 
to  Peter  of  its  own  accord,  dividing  themselves  in- 
to three  parts. 

1.  An  instruction.  And  the  Lord  God  said. 


FOR  THE   FINGER.  249 

2.  An  assertion,  *Tis  not  good  that  man  should 
be  alone. 

3.  A  determination,  /  will  make  an  help  meet 
for  him. 

In  the  first,  there  is  a  majesty  proposed. 
In  the  second,  there  is  a  malady  presented. 
In  the  third,  there  is  a  remedy  provided. 
Once  more  let  me  put  these  grapes  into  the  press. 

1.  The  sovereignness  of  the  expression.  And  the 
Lord  God  said. 

2.  The  solitariness  of  the  condition.  It  is  not 
good,  5fc. 

3.  The  suitableness  of  the  provision,  I  will 
make,  5fc. 

In  the  first,  there  is  the  worth  of  Veracity. 

In  the  second,  there  is  the  want  of  Society. 

In  the  third,  there  is  the  work  of  Divinity. 

Of  these  in  their  order.     And  first  of  the  first. 

First,  The  sovereignness  of  the  expression.  And 
the  Lord  God  said, 

Luke  i.  70,  As  he  spake  by  the  mouth  of  his 
prophets.  In  other  scriptures  he  used  their  mouths, 
but  in  this  he  made  use  of  his  own  :  they  were  the 
organs,  and  he  the  breath  5  they  were  the  streams, 
and  he  the  fountain.  How  he  spake,  it  is  hard  to 
be  spoken,  whether  eternally,  or  internally,  or  ex- 
ternally, Quomodo  non  est  quod  quceremus,  sed  po- 
tius  quid  dixerit  intelligamus :  we  are  not  to  in- 
quire into  the  manner  of  speaking,  but  into  the 
matter  that  is  spoken  j  which  leads  me  like  a  di- 
recting-star  from  the  suburbs  to  the  city,  from  the 
porch  to  the  palace,  from  the  founder  of  the  mine 
to  the  treasure  that  is  in  it.  It  is  not  good,  8iC. 


250  A  WEDDING-RING 

In  which  you  have  two  things  : 

1.  The  Subject. 

2.  The  Predicate. 
The  subject,  Man  alone. 

The  predicate.  It  is  not  good,  8ic. 
1.  The  subject,  Man  alone  ^   take  this  in  two 
branches. 

1.  As  it  is  limited  to  one  man. 

2.  As  it  is  lengthened  to  all  men. 

First,  As  it  is  limited  to  one  man,  and  so  it  is 
taken  particularly  3  man  for  the  first  man.  When 
all  other  creatures  had  their  mates,  Adam  wanted 
his  :  though  he  was  the  emperor  of  the  earth,  and 
the  admiral  of  the  seas,  yet  in  Paradise  without  a 
companion  •  though  he  was  truly  happy,  yet  he 
was  not  fully  happy ;  though  he  had  enough  for 
his  board,  yet  he  had  not  enough  for  his  bed; 
though  he  had  many  creatures  to  serve  him,  yet  he 
wanted  a  creature  to  solace  him;  when  he  was 
compounded  in  creation,  he  must  be  completed  by 
conjunction ;  when  he  had  no  sin  to  hurt  him, 
then  he  must  have  a  wife  to  help  him :  It  is  not 
good  that  man  should  be  alone. 

Secondly,  As  it  is  lengthened  to  all  men,  and  so 
it  is  taken  universally.  Heb.  xiii.  4,  Marriage  is 
honourable  unto  all.  It  is  not  only  warrantable, 
but  honourable.  The  whole  Trinity  hath  conspir- 
ed together  to  set  a  crown  of  glory  upon  the  head 
of  Matrimony. 

1.  God  the  Father:  Marriage  was  a  tree  plant- 
ed within  the  walls  of  Paradise ;  this  flower  first 
grew  in  God's  garden. 

2.  The  Son :  Marriage  is  a  crystal-glass,  where- 
in Christ  and  the  saints  do  see  each  others'  faces. 


FOR  THE   FINGER.  251 

3.  The  Holy  Ghost :  by  his  over-shadowing  of 
the  blessed  Virgin.  Well  might  the  world,  when 
it  saw  her  pregnancy,  suspect  her  virginity  j  but 
her  matrimonial  condition  was  a  grave  to  that  sus- 
picion :  without  this,  her  innocency  had  not  pre- 
vented her  infamy ;  she  needed  a  shield  to  defend 
that  chastity  abroad,  which  was  kept  inviolable  at 
home. 

Too  many  that  have  not  worth  enough  to  pre- 
serve that  virginity,  have  yet  will  enough  to  cover 
their  unchastity  j  turning  the  medicine  of  frailty 
into  the  mantle  of  filthiness.  Certainly  she  is  mad 
that  cuts  oflf  her  leg  to  get  her  a  crutch,  or  that 
venoms  her  face  to  wear  a  mask. 

St.  Paul  makes  it  one  of  the  characters  of  those 
that  should  cashier  the  faith,  1  Tim.  iv.  3.  Not 
to  forbear  marriage,  which  maybe  lawful  j  but  to 
forbid  it,  which  is  sinful. 

One  of  the  Popes  of  Rome  sprinkles  this  unholy 
drop  upon  it,  Carnis  pollutionem  8^  immunditiem. 

It  is  strange  that  should  be  a  'pollution,  which 
was  instituted  before  corruption;  or  that  impurity, 
which  was  ordained  in  the  state  of  innocency :  or 
that  they  should  make  that  to  be  a  sin,  which 
they  make  to  be  a  sacrament. 

But  a  bastard  may  be  laid  at  the  door  of  chasti- 
ty, and  a  leaden  crown  set  upon  a  golden  head. 

Bellarmine,  that  mighty  Atlas  of  the  Papal 
power,  blows  his  stinking  breath  upon  it,  saying. 
Better  were  it  for  a  priest  to  defile  himself  with 
many  harlots,  than  to  be  married  to  one  wife. 
These  children  of  the  purple-whore  prefer  their 
monasteries  before  our  marriages ;  a  concubine  be- 
fore a  companion.    They  use  too  many  for  their 


252  A  WEDDING-RING 

lusts  to  chuse  any  for  their  love.  Their  tables  are 
so  largely  spread,  that  they  cannot  feed  upon  one 
dish. 

As  for  their  exalting  of  a  virgin-state,  it  is  like 
him  that  commended  fasting  when  he  had  filled 
his  belly. 

Who  knows  not  that  virginity  is  a  pearl  of 
sparkling  lustre  ?  But  cannot  the  one  he  set  up 
without  the  other  be  thrown  down  ?  will  no  obla- 
tion pacify  the  former,  but  the  demolishing  of  the 
latter?  Though  we  find  many  enemies  to  the 
choice  of  marriage,  yet  it  is  rare  to  find  any  ene- 
mies to  the  use  of  marriage.  They  would  pick 
the  lock  that  want  the  key,  and  pluck  the  fruit 
that  do  not  plant  the  tree. 

The  Hebrews  have  a  saying.  He  is  not  a  man 
that  hath  not  a  woman. 

Though  they  climb  too  high  a  bough,  yet  it  is 
to  be  feared  that  such  flesh  is  full  of  imperfection, 
that  is  not  tending  to  propagation  :  though  man 
alone  may  be  good,  yet  it  is  not  good  that  man 
should  be  alone :  which  leads  me  from  the  subject 
lo  the  predicate,  It  is  not  good,  ^c. 

Non  bonum  is  not  in  this  place  as  malum  ^  but 
bonum  est,  honestum,  utile,  jucundum. 

Now  it  is  not  good  that  man  should  be  in  a 
single  condition,  upon  a  threefold  consideration. 

1.  In  respect  of  sin,  which  would  not  else  be 
prevented.  Marriage  is  like  water,  to  quench  the 
sparks  of  lust's  fire.  1  Cor.  vii.  2,  Nevertheless,  to 
avoid  fornication,  let  every  one  have  his  own  wife, 
8fC.  Man  needed  no  such  physic  when  he  was  in 
perfect  health.     Temptations  may  break  nature's 


FOR  THB  FINGER.  253 

best  fence,  and  lay  its  paradise  waste ;  but  a  single 
life  is  a  prison  of  unruly  desires,  which  is  daily 
attempted  to  be  broken  open. 

Some  indeed  force  themselves  to  a  single  life, 
merely  to  avoid  the  charges  of  a  married  state  j 
they  had  rather  fry  in  the  grease  of  their  own 
sensuality,  than  extinguish  those  flames  with  an 
allowed  remedy :  It  is  better  to  marry,  than  to 
burn }  to  be  lawfully  coupled,  than  to  be  lustfully 
scorched.  It  is  better  feeding  these  flames  with 
ordinary  fuel. 

2.  It  is  not  good  in  respect  of  mankind,  which 
then  would  not  be  propagated.  The  Roman  his- 
torian relating  the  ravishing  of  the  Sabine  women, 
excused  it  thus.  Res  erat  unius  cetatis  populus  vi- 
rorum :  without  them  mankind  would  fall  from  the 
earth  and  perish.  Marriages  do  turn  mutability 
into  the  image  of  eternity  :  it  springs  up  new 
buds,  when  the  old  are  withered.  It  is  a  greater 
honour  for  a  man  to  be  the  father  of  one  son,  than 
to  be  the  master  of  many  servants.  Without  a 
wife,  children  cannot  be  had  lawfully  -,  without  a 
good  wife,  children  cannot  be  had  comfortably. 
Man  and  woman,  as  the  stock  and  the  scion, 
being  grafted  by  marriage,  are  trees  bearing  fruit 
to  the  world. 

St.  Augustine  says,  this  pair  is,  primum  par  8i 
fundamentum  omnium,  S^c. 

They  are  the  first  link  of  human  society,  to 
which  all  the  rest  are  joined.  Mankind  had  long 
ago  decayed  and  been  like  a  taper  fallen  into  the 
socket,  if  those  breaches  which  are  made  by  mor- 
tality, were  not  repaired  by  matrimony. 
z 


254  A  WEDDING-RING 

3.  It  is  not  good  in  regard  of  the  church,  which 
could  not  then  have  been  expiated.  Where  there 
is  no  generation,  there  can  be  no  regeneration. 

Nature  makes  us  creatures,  before  grace  makes 
us  Christians. 

If  the  loins  of  men  had  been  less  fruitful,  the 
death  of  Christ  would  have  been  less  successful. 

It  was  a  witty  question  that  one  put  to  him  that 
said.  Marriage  fills  the  earth,  but  virginity  fills  the 
heavens  :  how  can  the  heavens  be  full,  if  the  earth 
be  empty? 

Had  Adam  lived  in  innocency  without  matri- 
mony, there  would  have  been  no  servants  of  God 
in  the  church  militant,  nor  no  saints  with  God  in 
the  church  triumphant.  But  I  will  not  sink  this 
vessel  by  the  over-burthening  of  it,  nor  press  this 
truth  to  death,  by  laying  too  great  a  load  upon  its 
shoulders. 

There  is  one  knot  which  I  must  untie  before  I 
make  a  further  progress  :  1  Cor.  1 ,  It  is  good  for 
a  man  not  to  touch  a  woman. 

Do  all  the  scriptures  proceed  out  of  the  same 
mouth,  and  do  they  not  all  speak  the  same  truth  ? 
The  God  of  unity  will  not  indite  discord  •  and  the 
God  of  verity  cannot  assert  falsehood.  If  good 
and  evil  be  contraries,  how  contrary  then  are  these 
scriptures !  Either  Moses  mistakes  God,  or  Paul 
mistakes  Moses  about  the  point  of  marriage.  To 
which  I  shall  give  a  double  answer. 

1.  There  is  a  public  and  a  private  good.  In  res- 
pect of  one  man,  it  may  be  good  not  to  touch  a 
w^oman  -,  but  in  respect  of  all,  so  it  is  not  good 
that  711  an  should  he  alone. 


FOR  THE   FINGEK.  255 

Moses  speaks  of  the  state  of  man  created,  Paul 
of  the  state  of  man  corrupted  :  now  that  which  by 
institution  was  a  mercy,  may  by  corruption  become 
a  misery;  as  pure  water  is  tainted  by  running 
through  a  miry  channel,  or  as  the  sun's  beams 
receive  a  tincture  by  shining  through  a  coloured 
glass.  There  is  no  print  of  evil  in  the  world,  but 
sin  was  the  stamp  that  made  it.  They  that  seek 
nothing  but  weal  in  its  commission,  will  find  no- 
thing but  woe  in  the  conclusion.  Which  leads  me 
from  the  solitariness  of  the  condition,  Man  alone, 
to  the  suitableness  of  the  provision,  I  will  make  an 
help  meet  for  him. 

In  which  you  have  two  parts  : 

1.  The  agent,  I  will  make. 

2.  The  object,  A  help. 
First,  The  agent,  I  will  make. 

We  cannot  build  a  house  without  tools.  But 
the  Trinity  is  at  liberty  3   Die  verbum  tantum. 

To  God's  omniscience  there  is  nothing  invisible, 
and  to  God's  omnipotence  there  is  nothing  im- 
possible. 

We  work  by  hands  without,  but  he  works  with- 
out hands.  He  that  made  man  meet  for  help, 
makes  a  meet  help  for  man. 

Marriages  are  consented  above,  but  consummated 
below.  Prov.  xvii.  22.,  Though  man  wants  sup- 
ply, yet  man  cannot  supply  his  Avants.  James  i. 
17.,  Every  good  and  perfect  gift  comes  from  above, 
&;c.  A  wife,  though  she  be  not  a  perfect  gift,  yet 
she  is  a  good  gift.  These  beams  are  darted  from 
the  Sun  of  Righteousness. 

Hast  thou  a  soft  heart  ?    It  is  of  God's  break- 


256  A  WEDDING-RING 

ing :  Hast  thou  a  sweet  wife  ?  She  is  of  God's 
making. 

Let  me  draw  up  this  expression  with  a  double 
application. 

When  thou  layest  out  for  such  a  goodion  earth, 
look  up  to  the  God  of  heaven.  Let  him  make 
thy  choice  for  thee,  who  hath  made  his  choice  of 
thee.  Look  above  you,  before  you  look  about  you. 
Nothing  makes  up  the  happiness  of  a  married  con- 
dition, like  the  holiness  of  a  mortified  disposition. 
Account  not  those  the  most  worthy  that  are  the 
most  wealthy.  Art  thou  matched  to  the  Lord? 
match  in  the  Lord.  How  happy  are  such  marri- 
ages, where  Christ  is  at  the  wedding !  Let  none 
but  those  who  have  found  favour  in  God's  eyes, 
find  favour  in  yours. 

2.  Give  God  the  tribute  of  your  gratulation  for 
your  good  companion.  Take  heed  of  paying  your 
rent  to  a  wrong  landlord.  When  you  taste  of  the 
stream,  reflect  on  the  spring  that  feeds  it.  Now 
thou  hast  four  eyes  for  thy  speculation,  four  hands 
for  thy  operation,  four  feet  for  thy  ambulation, 
and  four  shoulders  for  thy  sustenation.  What  the 
sin  against  the  Holy  Ghost  is  in  point  of  divinity, 
that  is  unthankfulness  in  point  of  morality;  an 
offence  unpardonable.  Pity  it  is  but  that  moon 
should  ever  be  in  an  eclipse,  that  will  not  acknow- 
ledge her  beams  to  be  borrowed  from  the  sun.  He 
that  praises  not  the  giver,  prizes  not  the  gift ;  and 
so  I  pass  from  the  agent  to  the  object,  A  Help. 

She  must  be  so  much,  and  no  less;  and  so 
much,  and  no  more.  Our  ribs  were  not  ordained 
to  be  our  rulers.     They  are  not  made  of  the  head. 


FOR  THE  FINGER.  257 

to  claim  superiority ;  but  out  of  the  side,  to  be  con- 
tent with  equality.  They  desert  the  Author  of  na- 
ture, that  invert  the  order  of  nature.  The  woman 
was  made  for  the  mans  comfort,  but  the  man 
was  not  made  for  the  woman" s  command.  Those 
shoulders  aspire  too  high,  that  content  not  them- 
selves with  a  room  below  their  head.  Tt  is  be- 
tween a  man  and  his  wife  in  the  house,  as  it  is 
between  the  sun  and  the  moon  in  the  heavens  : 
when  the  greater  light  goes  down,  the  lesser  light 
gets  up ;  when  the  one  ends  in  setting,  the  other 
begins  in  shining.  The  wife  may  be  a  sovereign 
in  her  husband's  absence,  but  she  must  be  subject 
in  her  husband's  presence.  As  Pharaoh  said  to 
Joseph,  so  should  the  husband  say  to  his  wife : 
Gen.  xli.  40,  Thou  shalt  be  over  my  house,  and  ac- 
cording to  thy  word  shall  all  my  people  he  ruled; 
only  in  the  throne  will  I  he  greater  than  thou. 
The  body  of  that  household  can  never  make  any 
good  motion,  whose  bones  are  out  of  place.  The 
woman  must  be  a  help  to  the  man  in  these  four 
things  : 

1.  To  his  Piety, 

2.  To  his  Society. 

3.  To  his  Progeny. 

4.  To  his  Prosperity. 

To  his  piety,  by  the  ferventness  of  her  excita- 
tion. To  his  society,  by  the  fragrantness  of  her 
conversation.  To  his  progeny,  by  the  fruitfulness 
of  her  education.  To  his  prosperity,  by  the  faith- 
fulness of  her  preservation. 

1.  To  his  piety,  by  the  ferventness  of  her  exci- 
tation, 1  Peter,  ii.  7. 

z3 


258  A  WEDDING-RING 

Husband  and  wife  should  be  as  the  milch-kine, 
which  were  coupled  together  to  carry  the  ark  of 
God ;  or  as  the  two  Cherubims,  that  looked  one 
upon  another,  and  both  upon  the  mercy-seat ;  or 
as  the  two  tables  of  stone,  on  each  of  which  were 
engraven  the  laws  of  God.     In  some  families  mar- 
ried persons  are  like  Jeremiah's  two  baskets  of 
figs,  the  one  very  good,  the  other  very  evil ;    or 
like  fire  and  water,  whilst  the  one  is  flaming  in 
devotion,    the    other    is    freezing   in    corruption. 
There  is  a  two-fold  hindrance  in  holiness  :  First, 
on  the  right  side  :  Secondly,  on  the  left.     On  the 
right  side :    when  the  wife  would  run  in  God's 
way,  the  husband  will  not  let  her  go  :    when  the 
fore-horse  in  a  team  will  not  draw,  he  wrongs  all 
the  rest :   when  the  general  of  an  army  forbids  a 
march,  all  the  soldiers  stand  still.     Sometimes  on 
the  left :  how  did  Solomon's  idolatrous  wives  draw 
away  his  heart  from  Heaven !      A  sinning  wife 
was  Satan's  first  ladder,  by  which  he  scaled  the 
walls  of  Paradise,  and  took  away  the  fort-royal  of 
Adam's  heart  from  him.      Thus  she  that  should 
have  been  the  help  of  his  flesh,  was  the  hurt  of  his 
faith  :    his  nature  s  under -propper,   becomes  his 
graces  under -miner  -,    and  she  that  should  be  a 
crown  on  the  head,  is  a  cross  on  the  shoulders* 
The  wife  is  often  to  the  husband,  as  the  ivy  is  to 
the  oak,  which  draws  away  his  sap  from  him. 

2.  A  help  to  his  society,  by  the  fragrantness  of 
her  conversation. 

Man  is  an  affectionate  creature.  Now  the  wo- 
man's behaviour  should  be  such  towards  the  man, 
as  to  require  his  affection,  by  increasing  his  de- 


FOR  THE  FINGER.  259 

lectation  j  that  the  new-born  love  may  not  be 
blasted  as  soon  as  it  is  blossomed  j  that  it  may  not 
be  ruined,  before  it  be  rooted.  A  spouse  should 
carry  herself  so  to  her  husband,  as  not  to  disturb 
his  love  by  her  contention,  nor  to  destroy  his  love 
by  her  alienation.  Husband  and  wife  should  be 
like  two  candles  burning  together,  which  make 
the  house  more  lightsome ;  or  like  two  fragrant 
flowers  bound  up  in  one  nosegay,  that  augments 
its  sweetness  5  or  like  two  well-tuned  instruments, 
which  sounding  together,  make  the  more  melodi- 
ous music.  Husband  and  wife,  what  are  they 
but  as  two  springs  meeting,  and  so  joining  their 
streams  that  they  may  make  but  one  current  ?  It 
is  an  unpleasing  spectacle  to  view  any  contention 
in  this  conjunction. 

3.  To  his  progeny,  by  the  fruitfulness  of  her 
education  j  that  so  her  children  in  the  flesh  may 
be  God's  children  in  the  spirit,  1  Sam.  i.  11. 
Hannah  vows,  if  the  Lord  will  give  her  a  son, 
by  bearing  him,  she  will  return  that  son  to  the 
Lord  by  serving  him.  A  spouse  should  be  more 
careful  of  her  children's  breeding,  than  she  should 
be  fearful  of  her  children's  bearing.  Take  heed 
lest  these  flowers  grow  in  the  devil's  garden. 
Though  you  bring  them  out  in  corniption,  yet  do 
not  bring  them  up  to  damnation.  Those  are  not 
mothers,  but  monsters  3  that  whilst  they  should 
be  teaching  their  children  the  way  to  heaven  with 
their  lips,  are  leading  them  the  way  to  hell  with 
their  lives.  Good  education  is  the  best  livery  you 
can  give  them  living ;  and  it  is  the  best  legacy  you 
can  leave  them  dying.  You  let  out  your  cares  to 
make  them  great :  O  lift  up  your  prayers  to  make 


260  A  WEDDING-RING 

them  good ;  that  before  you  die  from  them,  you 
may  see  Christ  live  in  them.  Whilst  these  twigs 
are  green  and  tender,  they  should  be  bowed  to- 
wards God.  Children  and  servants  are  in  a  family, 
as  passengers  are  in  a  boat  j  husband  and  wife, 
they  are  as  a  pair  of  oars  to  row  them  to  their 
desired  haven.  Let  these  small  pieces  of  timber 
be  hewed  and  squared  for  the  celestial  building : 
by  putting  a  sceptre  of  grace  into  their  hands,  you 
will  set  a  crown  of  glory  upon  their  heads, 

4.  A  help  to  his  prosperity  by  her  faithful 
preservation,  being  not  a  wanderer  abroad,  but  a 
worker  at  home. 

One  of  the  ancients  speaks  excellently:  she 
must  not  be  a  field-wife,  like  Dinah  j  nor  a 
street-wife,  like  Thamar3  nor  a  window-wife, 
like  Jezabel. 

Phidias,  when  he  drew  a  woman,  painted  her 
sitting  under  a  snail-shell,  that  she  might  imitate 
that  little  creature,  that  goes  no  farther  than  it 
can  carry  its  house  upon  its  head. 

How  many  women  are  there,  that  are  not 
labouring  bees,  but  idle  drones  5  that  take  up  a 
room  in  the  hive,  but  bring  no  honey  to  it  •  that 
are  moths  to  their  husband's  estates,  spending 
when  they  should  be  sparing !  As  the  man's  part 
is  to  provide  industriously,  so  the  woman's  is  to 
preserve  discreetly ;  the  one  must  not  be  carelessly 
ivanting,  the  other  must  not  be  causelessly  wast- 
ing ;  the  man  must  be  seeking  with  diligence,  the 
woman  must  be  saving  with  providence.  The  cock 
and  hen  both  scrape  together  in  the  dust-heap,  to 
pick  up  something  for  their  little  chickens. 


FOR  THE  FINGER.  261 

To  wind  up  this  on  a  short  bottom. 

1 .  If  the  woman  be  a  help  to  the  man,  then  let 
not  the  man  cast  dirt  on  the  woman. 

Secundus,  being  asked  his  opinion  of  a  woman, 
speaks  thus,  Viri  naufragium,  domds  tenipestas, 
quktis  impedimentum,  5fC.  But  surely  he  was  a 
monster,  and  not  a  man  j  fitter  for  a  tomb  to 
bury  him,  than  a  womb  to  bear  him. 

Some  have  stiled  them  to  be  like  clouds  in  the 
sky :  like  motes  in  the  sun  :  like  snuffs  in  the 
candle  :  like  weeds  in  the  garden. 

It  is  not  good  to  play  the  butcher  with  that 
naked  sex,  that  hath  no  arms  but  for  embraces.  A 
preacher  should  not  be  silent  for  those,  who  are 
silenced  from  preaching ;  because  they  are  the 
weaker  vessels,  shall  they  be  broken  all  to  pieces? 
Thou  that  sayest  Women  are  evil,  it  may  be  thy 
expression  flows  from  thy  experience  ■  but  I  shall 
never  take  that  mariner  for  my  pilot,  that  hath  no 
better  knowledge  than  the  splitting  of  his  own 
ship.  Wilt  thou  condemn  the  frame  of  all,  for  the 
fault  of  one  ?  As  if  it  were  true  logic ;  because 
some  are  evil,  therefore  none  are  good.  He  hath 
ill  eyes  that  disdains  all  objects.  To  blast  thy 
helper,  is  to  blame  thy  Maker.  In  a  word,  we 
took  our  rise  from  their  bowels,  and  may  take  our 
rest  in  their  bosoms. 

2.  Is  the  woman  to  be  a  help  to  the  man  ? 
Then  let  the  man  be  a  help  to  the  woman.  What 
makes  these  debtors  be  such  ill  pay-masters,  but 
because  they  look  at  what  is  owing  them,  but  not 
at  what  is  owing  by  them  ?  If  thou  wouldst  have 
thy  wife's  reverence,  let  her  have  thy  respect. 


262 


A  WEDDING-RING 


To  force  a  fear  from  this  relation,  is  that  which 
neither  befits  the  husband's  authority  to  enjoin,  nor 
the  wife's  duty  to  perform.  A  wife  must  not  be 
sharply  driven,  but  sweetly  drawn.  Compassion 
may  bend  her,  but  compulsion  will  break  her. 
Husband  and  wife  should  act  towards  each  other 
with  consent,  not  by  constraint. 

There  are  four  things  wherein  the  husband  is  a 
meet  help  to  the  wife. 

First,  In  his  protecting  of  her  from  injuries.  It 
is  well  observed  by  one,  that  the  rib  of  which  wo- 
man was  made,  was  taken  from  under  the  man's 
arm  :  as  the  use  of  the  arm  is  to  keep  oif  blows 
from  the  body,  so  the  office  of  the  husband  is  to 
ward  off'  blows  from  the  wife.  The  wife  is  the 
husband's  treasury,  and  the  husband  should  be  the 
wife's  armoury.  In  darkness,  he  should  be  her 
sun  for  direction  •  in  danger,  he  should  be  her 
shield  for  protection. 

2.  In  his  providing  for  her  necessities.  The 
husband  must  communicate  maintenance  to  the 
wife,  as  the  head  conveys  influence  to  the  mem- 
bers 3  thou  must  not  be  a  drone,  and  she  a  drudge. 
A  man  in  a  married  estate  is  like  a  chamberlain  in 
an  inn  -,  there  is  knocking  for  him  in  every  room. 
Many  persons  in  this  condition  waste  that  estate 
in  luxury,  which  should  supply  their  wives'  neces- 
sity. Nee  amor  viget  mariti,  nee  fides  Christiani  • 
they  have  neither  the  faith  of  a  Christian,  nor  the 
love  of  a  husband.  It  is  a  sad  spectacle  to  see 
a  virgin  sold  with  her  own  money  unto  slavery, 
when  services  are  better  than  marriages ;  the  one 
receives  wages,  whilst  the  other  buy  their  fetters. 


FOR  THE  FINGER.  263 

3.  In  his  covering  her  infirmities.  Who  would 
trample  upon  a  jewel,  because  it  is  fallen  in  the 
dirt }  or  throw  away  a  heap  of  wheat  for  a  little 
chaff?  or  despise  a  golden  wedge_,  because  it  re- 
tains some  dross  ?  These  roses  have  some  prickles. 
Now  husbands  should  spread  a  mantle  of  charity 
over  their  wives'  infirmities.  It  is  a  great  deal 
better  you  should  fast,  than  feast  yourselves  upon 
their  faihngs.  Some  husbands  are  never  well, 
longer  than  they  are  holding  their  fingers  in  their 
wives'  sores.  Such  are  like  crows,  that  fasten 
only  upon  carrion.  Do  not  put  out  the  candle, 
because  of  the  snuflF.  If  the  gold  be  good,  allow 
it  grains.  Husbands  and  wives  should  provoke 
one  another  to  love  5  and  they  should  love  one 
another  notwithstanding  of  provocation.  Take 
heed  of  poisoning  those  springs  from  whence  the 
streams  of  your  pleasure  flow. 

4.  By  his  dehghting  in  her  society.  A  wife 
takes  sanctuary,  not  only  in  her  husband's  house, 
but  in  his  heart.  The  tree  of  love  should  grow 
up  in  the  family,  as  the  tree  of  life  grew  up  in  the 
garden.  They  that  chuse  their  love,  should  love 
their  choice.  They  that  marry  where  they  affect 
not,  will  affect  where  they  marry  not.  Two  joined 
together  without  love,  are  but  two  tied  together 
to  make  one  another  miserable.  And  so  I  pass  to 
the  last  stage  of  the  text,  A  help  meet, 

A  help,  there  is  her  fulness  ;  a  meet  help,  there 
is  her  fitness. 

The  angels  were  too  much  above  him;  the 
creatures  were  too  much  below  him ;  he  could 
not  step   up   to  the  former,  nor  could  he  stoop 


264  A  WEDDING-RING 

down  to  the  latter :  the  one  was  out  of  his  reach, 
the  other  was  out  of  his  race  -,  but  the  woman  is 
a  parallel-line  drawn  equal  with  him  :  meet  she 
must  be  in  three  things. 

1.  In  the  harmony  of  her  disposition.  Husband 
and  wife  should  be  like  the  image  in  a  looking- 
glass,  that  answers  in  all  properties  to  the  face 
that  stands  before  it  •  or  like  an  echo,  that  return- 
eth  the  voice  it  receiveth.  Many  marriages  are  like 
putting  new  wine  into  old  bottles.  An  old  man 
is  not  a  meet  help  for  a  young  woman.  He  that 
sets  a  grey  head  upon  green  shoulders,  hath  one 
foot  in  the  grave,  and  another  in  the  cradle.  Yet 
how  many  times  do  you  see  the  spring  of  youth 
wedded  to  the  winter  of  old  age !  A  young  person 
is  not  a  meet  help  for  an  old  woman  j  raw  flesh 
is  but  an  ill  plaster  for  rotten  bones.  He  that  in 
his  non-age  marries  another  in  her  dotage,  his  lust 
hath  one  wife  in  possession,  but  his  love  another  in 
reversion. 

2.  In  the  heraldry  of  her  condition.  Some 
of  our  European  notions  are  so  strict  in  their 
junctions,  that  it  is  against  their  laws  for  the 
commonalty  to  couple  with  the  gentry. 

It  was  well  said  by  one  :  if  the  wife  be  too 
much  above  her  husband,  she  either  ruins  him  by 
vast  expenses,  or  reviles  him  with  her  base  re- 
proaches. If  she  be  too  much  below  her  husband, 
either  her  former  condition  makes  her  too  generous, 
or  her  present  mutation  makes  her  too  imperious. 

Marriages  are  stiled  matches;  yet  amongst  those 
many  that  are  married,  how  few  are  there  that  are 
matched !     Husbands  and  wives  are  like  locks  and 


FOR  THE   FINGER.  265 

keys,  that  rather  break  than  open,  except  the  wards 
be  answerable. 

3.  In  the  holiness  of  her  religion.  If  adultery 
may  separate  a  marriage  contracted,  idolatry  may 
hinder  a  marriage  not  perfected.  Cattle  of  divers 
kinds  were  not  to  ingender :  2  Corinth,  vi.  14, 
Be  not  unequally  yoked,  S^c.  It  is  dangerous  tak- 
ing her  for  a  wife,  who  will  not  take  God  for  a 
husband.  It  is  not  meet  that  one  flesh  should  be 
of  two  spirits.  Is  there  never  a  tree  thou  likest  in 
the  garden,  but  that  which  bears  forbidden  fruit  ? 
There  are  but  two  channels,  in  which  the  remain- 
ing streams  shall  run. 

1.  To  those  men  that  want  wives,  how  to  chuse 
them. 

2.  To  those  women  that  have  husbands,  how  to 
use  them. 

I.  To  those  men  that  want  wives,  how  to 
chuse  them. 

Marriage  is  the  tying  of  such  a  knot,  that 
nothing  but  death  can  unloose.  Common  reason 
suggests  so  much,  that  we  should  be  long  a  doing 
that  which  can  but  once  be  done.  Where  one 
design  hath  been  gravelled  in  the  sands  of  delay, 
thousands  have  been  split  upon  the  rock  of  precipi- 
tance. Rash  adventures  yield  little  gain.  Oppor- 
tunities are  not  like  tides,  that  when  one  is  past, 
another  returns  j  but  yet  take  heed  of  flying  with- 
out your  wings  :  you  may  breed  such  agues  in 
your  bones,  that  may  shake  you  to  your  grave. 

1.  Let  me  preserve  you  from  a  bad  choice. 

2.  Present  you  with  a  good  one. 

1 .  To  preserve  you  from  a  bad  choice. 


266  A  WEDDING-RING 

Take  that  in  three  things. 
J .  Chuse  not  for  beauty. 

2.  Chuse  not  for  dowry. 

3.  Chuse  not  for  dignity. 

He  that  looks  for  beauty,  buys  a  picture. 
He  that  loves  for  dowry,  makes  a  purchase. 
He  that  leaps  for  dignity,  matches  with  a  mul- 
titude at  once. 

The  first  of  these  is  too  blind  to  be  directed. 
The  second_,  too  base  to  be  accepted. 
The  third,  too  bold  to  be  respected. 

1 .  Chuse  not  by  your  eyes. 

2.  Chuse  not  by  your  hands. 

3.  Chuse  not  by  your  ears. 

First  J  Chuse  not  by  your  eyes,  looking  at  the 
beauty  of  the  person.  Not  but  this  is  lovely  in  a 
woman  j  but  that  this  is  not  all  for  which  a  wo- 
man should  be  beloved.  He  that  had  the  choice 
of  many  faces  stamps  the  character  upon  them 
all :  Favour  is  deceitful,  and  beauty  is  vain.  The 
sun  is  more  bright  in  a  clear  sky,  than  when  the 
horizon  is  clouded.  But  if  a  woman's  flesh  hath 
more  of  beauty,  than  her  spirit  hath  of  Christian- 
ity ;  it  is  like  poison  in  sweetmeats,  most  danger- 
ous :  Gen.  vi.  2,  The  sons  of  God  saw  the  daughters 
of  men,  that  they  were  fair,  S^c.  One  would  have 
thought,  that  they  should  rather  have  looked  for 
grace  in  the  heart,  than  for  beauty  in  the  face. 
Take  heed  of  inning  at  the  fairest  signs ;  the  swan 
hath  black  flesh  under  her  white  feathers. 

Secondly,  Chuse  not  by  your  hands  for  the 
bounty  of  the  portion. 

When  Cato's  daughter  was  asked,  why  she  did 


FOR  THE   FINGER.  267 

not  many  ?  she  thus  replied,  she  could  not  find 
the  man  that  loved  her  person  above  her  portion. 
Men  love  curious  pictures,  but  they  would  have 
them  set  in  golden  frames.  Some  are  so  degene- 
rate, as  to  think  any  good  enough,  who  have  but 
goods  enough.  Take  heed,  for  sometimes  the  bag 
and  baggage  go  together.  The  person  should  be 
a  figure,  and  the  portion  a  cypher,  which  added 
to  her,  advances  the  sum ;  but  alone  signifies 
nothing.  When  Themistocles  was  to  marry  his 
daughter,  two  suitors  courted  her  together ;  the 
one  rich,  and  a  fool ;  the  other  wise,  but  poor ; 
and  being  demanded  which  of  the  two  he  had 
rather  his  daughter  should  have  ?  He  answered, 
Mallem  virum  sine  pecunid,  S^c.  I  had  rather  she 
should  have  a  man  without  money,  than  money 
without  a  man. 

Thirdly,  Chuse  not  by  your  ears,  for  the  dignity 
of  her  parentage.  A  good  old  stock  may  nourish 
a  fruitless  branch.  There  are  many  children  who 
are  not  the  blessings,  but  the  blemishes  of  their 
parents.  They  are  nobly  descended,  but  ignobly 
minded.  Such  was  Aurelius  Antonius,  of  whom 
it  was  said,  that  he  injured  his  countiy  in  nothing, 
but  being  the  father  of  such  a  child.  There  are 
many  low  in  their  descents,  that  are  high  in  their 
deserts.  Such  as  the  cobler's  son,  who  grew  to  be 
a  famous  captain  :  when  a  great  person  upbraided 
the  meanness  of  his  original.  My  nobility  (said  he) 
begins  with  me,  but  thy  nobility  e?ids  with  thee. 
Piety  is  a  greater  honour  than  parentage.  She  is 
the  best  gentlewoman  that  is  heir  of  her  own  deserts, 
and  not  the  degenerated  off-spring  of  another's 
virtue. 


268  A  WEDDING-RING 

To  present  you  with  a  good  choice  in  three 

things : 

1.  Chuse  such  a  one  as  will  be  subject  to  your 
dominion.  Take  heed  of  yoking  yourselves  with 
untamed  heifers. 

2.  Chuse  such  a  one  as  may  sympathize  with 
you  in  your  affliction.  Marriage  is  just  like  a  sea 
voyage  3  he  that  enters  into  this  ship  must  look  to 
meet  with  storms  and  tempests :  1  Corinth,  vii. 
28j  They  that  marry  shall  have  trouble  in  the  flesh. 
Flesh  and  trouble  married  together,  whether  we 
marry  or  no.  Now  a  bitter  cup  is  too  much  to  be 
drank  by  one  mouth.  A  heavy  burthen  is  easily 
carried  by  the  assistance  of  other  shoulders.  Hus- 
band and  wife  should  neither  be  proud  flesh,  nor 
dead  flesh.  You  are  fellow-members,  therefore 
should  have  a  fellow-feeling.  While  one  stands 
safe  on  the  shore,  the  other  should  pity  him  that 
is  tost  on  the  sea.  Sympathy  in  suft'ering,  is  like 
a  dry  house  in  a  wet  day. 

3.  Chuse  such  a  one  as  may  be  serviceable  to 
your  salvation.  A  man  may  think  he  hath  a  saint 
when  he  hath  a  devil :  but  take  heed  of  a  harlot 
that  is  false  to  thy  bed  3  and  of  a  hypocrite,  that 
is  false  to  thy  God. 

II.  To  those  women  that  have  husbands,  how 
to  use  them.     In  two  things  : 

1.  Carry  yourselves  towards  them  with  obedi- 
ence. Let  their  power  command  you,  that  their 
praise  may  commend  you.  Though  you  may 
have  your  husbands'  hearts,  yet  you  must  not  have 
their  heads ;  as  you  will  his  love,  so  you  should 
love  his  will.  Till  the  husband  leaves  command- 
ing, the  wife  must  never  leave  obeying.     As  his 


FOR  THE  FINGER.  269 

injunctions  must  be  lawful,  so  her  subjection  must 
be  loyal. 

2.  With  faithfulness.  In  creation,  God  made 
not  one  woman  for  many  men,  nor  many  women 
for  one  man  j  every  wife  should  be  to  her  hus- 
band, as  Eve  was  to  Adam,  a  whole  world  of 
women  j  and  every  husband  should  be  to  his  wife, 
as  Adam  was  to  Eve,  a  whole  world  of  men. 
When  a  river  is  divided  into  many  channels,  the 
main  current  starves. 

To  conclude  :  Good  servants  are  a  great  bless- 
ing ;  good  children  a  greater  blessing  ;  but  a  good 
wife  is  the  greatest  blessing :  and  such  a  Help  let 
him  seek  for  her  that  wants  one  j  let  him  sigh  for 
her  that  has  lost  one  -,  let  him  take  pleasure  in 
her  that  enjoys  one.  And  the  Lord  God  said. 
It  is  not  good  that  the  man  should  be  alone  ; 
i  will  make  him  a  help  meet  for  him. 


THE  END. 


J.  and  J.  Jackson,  Printers, 
Market-place,  Louth. 


DATE  DUE 


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CAYLONO 

rHINTSOINU.S.A. 

